The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) has shut down the operations of Shree Shakambari Ferro Alloys’ factory in Rwiang, West Khasi Hills, for not complying with pollution monitoring requirements.
One of the conditions for being allowed to operate is that there by continuous monitoring of exhaust gasses and particulate matter emission from the factory, with this data fed to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in New Delhi and the MSPCB.
“It has been noticed by the Board that online transmission of data … has ceased since 12pm on September 7, 2020 without any intimation,” the MSPCB stated in a letter to the firm last month.
However, three days after the halt of transmission of information, it was noticed by MSPCB officials that thick black smoke was being emitted from both the factory and its onsite power plant, indicating that it was operating without the pollution monitoring devices.
