The Hynñiewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM), Narpuh circle today submitted a memorandum to the Secretary of the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board to oppose the public hearing over the expansion of cement operations that has been scheduled for August 24.
Meghalaya Cements Ltd has received environmental clearance from the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority to extend a cement clinkerisation plant at Thangskai village from 2600 TPA (0.858 Million MTPA) to 4500 TPD (1.485 Million TPD with 10 MW captive power plant and 9.5 MW waste heat recovery system.
However, the pressure groups said that this will have a huge environmental impact and destroy the water source and farmlands.
HANM circle president P. Syiemlieh stated that the people of Wahiajer are against the expansion and have also lodged a complaint with the organisation. He said according to the residents the distance from the proposed expansion site to that of Wahiajer is approximately 500 meters.
It may be mentioned that the Jaiñtia National Council (JNC) has also registered its opposition to the public hearing.
“The existence of these cement plants have not done any good but brought in wanton destruction” Syiemlieh said.
