The Meghalaya High Court has asked the Jowai Municipal Board to explore possibilities of entering into an agreement with Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited by which the plastic waste from Jowai can be used at the plant of Dalmia Cement.
The division bench of the High Court was hearing the PIL filed by the Synjuk Ki Waheh Shnong Jowai today.
During the hearing, the petitioner told the High Court that Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited has set up a co-processing unit at its cement plant near Lumshnong.
The petitioner suggested that if the plastic waste is segregated by the Municipal Board, Dalmia Cement is more than willing to collect the same and use it in their industrial process.
According to the petitioner, this will relieve the Jowai Municipal Board of the burden of disposing of plastic waste. The petitioner also told the court that Dalmia Cement has entered into a similar agreement with the Shillong Municipal Board for industrial use of plastic waste from Shillong.
“Since the petitioner says that Dalmia Cement has entered into an agreement with the Shillong Municipal Board in such regard, the Jowai Municipal Board should explore possibilities of entering into a similar arrangement as expeditiously as possible,” the High Court said.
During today’s hearing, the State government filed an affidavit indicating the settlement for obtaining land to set up a permanent compost plant for Jowai. The timelines for the completion of the construction have also been roughly indicated. The plant is expected to be constructed within 395 days.
The next hearing on the matter will be held on January 31, 2023. The status report would also be filed by the Jowai Municipal Board at the hearing.
