Shillong, September 22: The installation of air purifiers in Byrnihat is currently being carried out on a trial basis, with a larger rollout to be considered if the experiment proves successful, Cabinet Minister and Jirang MLA Sosthenes Sohtun said on Tuesday.
Responding to queries over the high levels of air pollution in Byrnihat, which has repeatedly figured among the most polluted towns, Sohtun said the government would assess the effectiveness of the initial installations before expanding the initiative. “The air purifiers where we have installed, it is just trial only and then if that succeeds, then only we can go for a pilot project,” he said.
Sohtun said that if two or three air purifiers show positive results, installing them in larger numbers could help reduce air pollution in Byrnihat. “If 2-3 air purifiers are installed and if that succeeds and if we go for bigger numbers, that definitely will reduce air pollution in Byrnihat,” he said. He added that he had requested the Chief Minister to proceed with a larger pilot project if the results of the trial are encouraging.
On enforcement against industries violating pollution control norms, Sohtun said a Joint Action Committee has been constituted involving the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB), village headmen and other concerned departments. He said the mechanism enables local residents and village authorities to directly lodge complaints against industries suspected of violating MSPCB regulations. “That main JAC allows people from local, village headmen or others to lodge direct complaints if any of the industries violate rules laid by MSPCB,” he said.
Sohtun maintained that enforcement action was visible on the ground and not confined to paperwork. “We have seen many industrial units, once they get complaints and MSPCB found that they have violated, they have been closed,” he said.
Asked about the total number of complaints received so far, the Minister said he was not heading the committee and that the details would have to be obtained from the MSPCB. “I am not heading the JAC, it is entirely with MSPCB,” he said. Sohtun also clarified that the Joint Action Committee operates only within Meghalaya’s jurisdiction. “From Meghalaya side because the JAC is formed within the jurisdiction of our state, so I cannot say about Assam, whatever committee they have formed,” he added.
