Meghalaya CM reviews pollution board’s performance, unveils new monitoring systems

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on December 11 highlighted plans to boost the effectiveness of the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) after what he described as “a very positive meeting” with its officials in Shillong.

During his first visit to the MSPCB office at Motinagar, Sangma discussed proposals to streamline the Board’s responsibilities and reinforce enforcement of the Air Act, Water Act and Environment Protection Act. He said that although the Board had made “much” progress, there remained “great potential ahead”.

According to the Chief Minister, officials shared “thoughtful suggestions”, with a follow-up meeting slated for January to finalise a set of implementation steps.

Sangma also announced the launch of key pollution-monitoring and clean-energy installations. At 15th Mile in Byrnihat, Ri-Bhoi district, he inaugurated a Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System (CAAQMS), a real-time automated network designed to track major air pollutants in industrial zones. He said the system provides “instant data for regulatory compliance and pollution control”.

At the MSPCB office in Shillong, the Chief Minister unveiled a Zero Liquid Discharge Effluent Treatment Plant and a 47 kW grid-connected rooftop solar system under the CM’s Solar Mission. He also toured the Board’s laboratories for air and water quality analysis.

Sangma expressed confidence that the MSPCB would evolve into “an even more vibrant and effective institution” capable of driving improvements in air and water quality across Meghalaya.