SHILLONG, June 30: A recently viral social media documentary by a journalist/vlogger has triggered strong public anger over pollution in Byrnihat’s industrial area. The video blamed Umiam Distillation Private Limited’s ethanol plant as the biggest polluter, showing thick white plumes and claiming it was severely affecting the health and environment of nearby villages. The report spread rapidly, with many residents demanding strict action against the factory.
In response to the growing controversy, the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) and the company have firmly denied the allegations.
On Tuesday, MSPCB Member Secretary G.H. Chyrmang told The Shillong Times that the Board acted swiftly and inspected the Umiam Distillation plant on June 29. Tests during the inspection found the plant’s dust emissions at just 23 mg/Nm³, which is well below the allowed limit of 50 mg/Nm³.
Real-time monitoring also showed other emissions — nitrogen oxide at 17 mg/Nm³ (limit 100), and sulphur oxide at 110 mg/Nm³ (limit 150) — all within safe limits.
Chyrmang clarified that the white plume seen in the viral video was steam from the production process, not harmful smoke. He said the plant’s pollution control systems, including equipment for cleaning air and recycling all wastewater, were fully operational. The Board noted that Byrnihat has many industries, and singling out one factory without proper checks was unfair.
He also questioned why the documentary focused exclusively on the ethanol plant while overlooking other industries operating in the area. According to him, the filmmaker had reportedly visited nearby villages and linked environmental conditions to the ethanol unit without consulting the Pollution Control Board or relying on scientific evidence.
The MSPCB highlighted its efforts to improve air quality.
It said dust levels in Byrnihat have come down from 145 micrograms per cubic metre to around 96 micrograms — a 45% reduction — and the Board has closed several polluting units in the past.
Chyrmang assured that monitoring would continue and action would be taken against any violators.
The company’s general manager, Girjesh Joshi, also rejected the claims. He said the plant strictly follows all pollution rules and uses modern equipment. Joshi too explained that the video showed steam, not actual chimney emissions, and accused the documentary of ignoring other factories in the industrial estate.
Calling for a scientific assessment of pollution in the industrial area, UDPL urged the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board to constitute an independent technical committee to undertake a comprehensive study of the entire Byrnihat Industrial Estate. The company said the assessment should examine emissions from all industries, vehicular traffic, construction activities and other pollution sources through scientific monitoring and source apportionment studies.
While both the MSPCB and Umiam Distillation Private Limited have strongly denied that the ethanol plant is the main cause of pollution in Byrnihat, locals blamed the Board and the company for being on denial mode while people continue to face air quality problems.
