EXCLUSIVE
The Meghalaya Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has begun an extensive drone-based survey over the Umngot and Simsang rivers amid rising public outrage over the rapid degradation of two of the state’s important water bodies. The initiative comes as Umngot — once famed globally for its crystal-clear waters — has turned visibly muddy, triggering widespread concern among residents and environmental groups.
MPCB Chairman R. Nainamalai said the survey is intended to establish the full extent of pollution beyond the violations already traced to road construction. He stated, “NHIDCL road project is one source and maybe other sources of pollution are also there.”
The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) has already imposed a ₹15 lakh penalty on the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), the agency executing the JICA-funded Shillong–Dawki Road project, after debris and soil runoff were found contaminating tributaries of the Umngot in West Jaintia Hills. Following public complaints, MSPCB officials inspected the area and confirmed that construction waste and loose earth were being dumped directly into the river system. In a notice issued by Chairman Nainamalai, NHIDCL’s General Manager (Projects) was directed to pay ₹15 lakh as environmental compensation for violations documented at four locations.
Providing an update on the ongoing operations, the chairman said, “Drone survey for Umngot river is still continuing to find out if there are any other sources of pollution, NHIDCL road project is the one source. To get the complete details of the areas and find out if there is any other cause of pollution. For the Simsang river today the drone survey is going on.”
He added that similar findings had emerged in Garo Hills as well. “Even with the Simsang river also our team went for the inspection yesterday with the help of MBDA, they found the same NHIDCL implementing a road project and they dumped all the excavated soil near the river and it has gone to the river. They found one location where there is a drastic violation and the water quality also changed to muddy.”
Nainamalai confirmed that a parallel inspection has been conducted along the Simsang, where NHIDCL is again executing a road project. Officials identified a site exhibiting “drastic violation,” where excavated material had slid into the river, altering its colour. He said similar actions will be followed for the agency.
The growing pattern of environmental breaches has intensified public frustration. Earlier, a group from East Garo Hills lodged a complaint with the MSPCB against NHIDCL and a construction company for allegedly dumping earth and waste into the Norek stream, adding to fears that unchecked project activities are polluting water bodies across multiple districts.
