Shillong, June 30: The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) has stated that emissions from an ethanol/distillery unit at the Export Promotion Industrial Park (EPIP), Byrnihat, were found to be within the prescribed limits following a surprise inspection prompted by reports circulating on social media.
According to a press release issued by the Board, its Task Force conducted a ground inspection of M/s Umiam Distillation Pvt. Ltd. on June 29 after taking suo motu cognisance of public concerns, without waiting for a formal complaint.
The inspection team visited the unit at around 11.30 am and carried out source-emission monitoring, measuring key parameters including Particulate Matter (PM), stack velocity, differential pressure and temperature.
The monitoring recorded a Particulate Matter concentration of 23.1 mg/Nm³, which is well below the permissible limit of 50 mg/Nm³ prescribed under the unit’s Consent to Operate (CTO).
MSPCB further stated that the pollution-control systems at the unit were found to be operational during the inspection. These include an Electrostatic Precipitator attached to the captive power plant and a Multi-Effect Evaporator with a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) system for the distillation unit.
The Board informed that the 580 KLD ZLD plant was functioning properly, with treated water being recycled for use in the cooling tower. Water samples of both untreated and treated effluents were also collected and have been sent for laboratory analysis.
The MSPCB noted that Byrnihat, which has been identified as a non-attainment town under the National Clean Air Programme, continues to remain under close surveillance.
It stated that over the past two years, the Board has ordered the closure of several non-compliant red-category industries and has strengthened ambient air quality monitoring across the industrial area.
Reaffirming its commitment to environmental protection, the Board said it remains conscious of the health concerns raised by residents and assured that monitoring and enforcement activities in Byrnihat will continue in a transparent and continuous manner.
