Shillong, Nov 1: The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) has held the firm engaged for the construction of the Shillong-Dawki road project, responsible for environmental violations.
The Umngot River, famous for its crystal-clear waters turned muddy brown sending shock waves among nature lovers and ordinary citizens alike. Families through tourism-based livelihoods depend heavily on the river’s clarity and natural charm.
During an inspection carried out by the board on Friday, officials found extensive earthwork and excavation activities along the under-construction Shillong–Dawki road and debris had been dumped near the river without containment or stabilisation measures.
Officials said that recent filling works by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) near the Pynursla-Dawki Bridge, carried out without retaining structures such as sandbags, caused loose material to slide toward the Umngot, raising the risk of erosion and sedimentation.
“The filled portion near the bridge appears unstable and has the potential to cause additional landslides, especially during rainfall,” the MSPCB warned.
Similar siltation was observed near the new Dawki Bridge construction site due to hill cutting and loose soil sliding into the river.
The board ordered the Project Management Unit-Mylliem, which manages the project, to immediately remove construction and demolition waste dumped into the river.
MSPCB chairman R. Nanamalai invoked powers under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, ordering the project unit to strictly follow the Standard Operating Procedure notified on March 17, 2025, and ensure the immediate removal of all waste dumped in the Umngot.
The board has also collected water samples for laboratory analysis and directed all contractors to apply for Consent to Establish and Operate within 15 days.
It also ordered strict compliance with the Meghalaya Stone Crusher Order of December 23, 2021, particularly concerning the legal sourcing of boulders.
The Project Management Unit-Mylliem has been asked to submit an action-taken report at the earliest.
