Meghalaya HC pulls up pollution board over Byrnihat, asks for data on polluting units

Shillong, Jul 27: The Meghalaya High Court has directed the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board to submit a detailed report on action taken against industries polluting Byrnihat and rivers across East Jaintia Hills, saying its earlier affidavit lacked crucial data.

Hearing PIL on July 23, the bench of Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W Diengdoh noted that the affidavit filed by MSPCB on July 22 did not give specifics on enforcement against polluting units in Byrnihat, including those impacting the Umtrew River.

The court asked MSPCB to file a comprehensive affidavit detailing action taken on each specific and general recommendation made by NEERI.

It also sought a compliance report in line with the Supreme Court judgment in Delhi Pollution Control Committee vs Lodhi Property Co. Ltd. (2026) 2 SCC 670.

MSPCB has further been asked to report on pollution in 7 water bodies of East Jaintia Hills: Waikhyrwi River in Sutnga, Thwai Kungor in Bapung, Rawaka, Kmai-um, Metyngka Stream in Rymbai, Ummynkseh in Lad Rymbai, and Umkyrpong in Khliehriat.

The bench noted these rivers have already been studied by MBDA and other institutes.

AAG K. Khan submitted a Health Department affidavit stating a 12 lakh study on “Association between Ambient Air Pollution and Respiratory Symptoms in Meghalaya” has been sanctioned. Phase 1 will cover Byrnihat in Ri-Bhoi.

The court was told the Byrnihat PHC is seeing many cases of acute respiratory illness but has no radiologist. X-rays are currently sent to Nongpoh Civil Hospital.

“Considering the huge number of respiratory illnesses in Byrnihat, we request the Health Department to consider whether a radiologist can be sent thrice a week to the PHC,” the bench observed.

The AAG was also asked to inform the court about steps by PWD and MIDC for road construction in Byrnihat’s industrial belt as per NEERI, and measures by the Transport Department to curb truck emissions.

The CPCB has been directed to file an affidavit on coordination with Assam Pollution Control Board, as part of Byrnihat lies in Assam. A senior CPCB officer must attend virtually on the next date.

The court appointed Advocate Philemon Nongbri as Amicus Curiae, with Advocates R. Pahsyntiew and D.S. Pajat to assist. The Amicus and DLSA Secretary, Ri-Bhoi, have been asked to visit Byrnihat and the PHC and submit a report.

The matter will be heard next on August 10, 2026.

Also Read: 413 farmers trained in South West Garo Hills under month-long ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’

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