Shillong, Nov 12: The Meghalaya High Court has dropped notices issued against two senior officers of the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) after noting improvement in action against polluting units in Byrnihat and on the Umtrew river.
The order was passed on November 10 by a division bench of Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh while hearing a suo motu case on pollution in Byrnihat.
The notices had been issued against Member Secretary Dr. George Hagi Chyrmang and Senior Environmental Engineer Sandrew Syiem, after the court felt no serious attempt was being made to address the issue facing the people of Byrnihat.
Both officers were directed to remain present and file affidavits.
“Since there has been improvement in the actions taken by the officers of the MSPCB against the polluting units and also having regard to the affidavits filed, we deem it appropriate to drop the notices issued against the said officers,” the court said.
The MSPCB filed a status report detailing inspection, monitoring and compliance action against industrial units. It also reported steps on the Umtrew river, including action on effluent, sewage, industrial discharge and major drains and streams.
The report mentioned the constitution of a Joint Action Committee for the Byrnihat Industrial Area, allocation of land for a proposed Regional Office at Byrnihat, and expansion of the water quality monitoring network in the Umtrew river. A compendium with lab test reports was also filed.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) filed an affidavit through its Regional Director, Dr. Shantanu Kumar Dutta. It said out of 42 industries, 17 are under the red category and a task force has been constituted to inspect the Byrnihat area on the Assam side.
The NHIDCL filed a report on pollution and dust on the national highway under its control. It said regular operation and maintenance of 61.80 km of road has been taken up from August 7, 2026, and PF mesh nets have been installed along the barricade of the bridge on both sides and in adjoining areas to prevent dumping of waste over the bridge. Photographs of the works were also submitted.
The Ri Bhoi district administration reported construction of a material recovery centre on MIDC land, distribution of electric vehicles by the Umsning C&RD Block to encourage eco-friendly transport in villages around Byrnihat to reduce air pollution, and installation of mesh nets along bridge parapets.
The MIDC also filed a report on improvement of the internal road from Maithan Alloys towards Shyam Century at EPIP, Byrnihat, with photographs and work orders.
Since almost all reports were served on Amicus Curiae Philemon Nongbri only on the day of hearing, he sought time to go through them.
The court adjourned the matter to December 7, 2026.
