By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 3: The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) on Thursday assured a delegation from the Wapungskur village dorbar that it would conduct a re-inspection of the area where it had granted the Consent to Establish (CTE) for a LAM Coke manufacturing unit at Thlukure Wahtongtiang in Mookhep village, East Jaintia Hills district.
Following a meeting with MSPCB member secretary Dr. GH Chyrmang, Waheh Shnong Wapungskur, Postling Dkhar, stated that the board intends to verify whether the proposed site is near any reserved forest.
According to him, the site borders a forest that has existed for over 60 to 70 years and serves as a vital source of fresh air for the villagers.
Expressing strong opposition, Dkhar questioned how the pollution board could grant the CTE without first securing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Wapungskur Dorbar Shnong.
“We remain steadfast in our decision to oppose the establishment of the coke plant in this area,” he asserted, demanding that the Dolloi clarify why he issued the NOC without consulting all the surrounding villages, particularly Wapungskur.
Condemning the Dolloi’s actions, Dkhar warned that the Dolloi would be held accountable for any adverse incidents arising from this decision. “We do not even know who owns this coke plant. If anything unfortunate happens, we will also hold the owner responsible,” he added.
Meanwhile, MSPCB member secretary Dr. Chyrmang defended the board’s decision, stating that the CTE process followed standard procedures, including obtaining an NOC from the Dorbar Shnong Mookhep and the Dolloi.
He added that the firm had also submitted forest clearance documents from the Forest Department and the JHADC.
He said that the decision to issue the CTE was taken up during the meeting of the consent committee comprising different line departments.
However, he acknowledged that he only became aware of Wapungskur Dorbar’s opposition after media reports surfaced.
He also noted that the initial inspection by board officials did not identify any water bodies or reserved forests at the proposed site, raising suspicions that the firm may have shifted its location.
“But we are going for re-inspection probably next week to find out and address the concern raised by the Dorbar Shnong and the residents of the area,” he said, while adding that they have also requested the members of the Wapungskur Dorbar Shnong to be present during the re-inspection.
Chyrmang said the board will decide on its next course of action if they found the complaint of the Dorbar Shnong to be true.
Meanwhile, the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Wapung Unit, has extended its support to the Wapungskur Dorbar Shnong, demanding that the MSPCB revoke the CTE and that the Dolloi and Waheh Shnong of Mookhep withdraw the NOCs issued to the firm.
Earlier on Wednesday, members of the Wapungskur Dorbar halted the proposed establishment of the LAM Coke manufacturing unit after discovering that the MSPCB had granted the CTE on March 7 without their knowledge or consultation.
According to the MSPCB, the CTE was issued to Om Om Coke for a single-chimney coke unit at an estimated cost of Rs 4.50 crore.
The MSPCB had stated that the consent was granted based on the details provided by the applicant and remains subject to additional conditions. Any modifications or deviations from the approved plans would render the consent invalid.
It had further clarified that the CTE will remain valid until February 28, 2026, unless revoked or suspended. If necessary, its validity could be extended until the unit is ready for commercial production.
