Amid alarming levels of industrial pollution, the Meghalaya government has imposed strict restrictions on the establishment and expansion of coke oven plants in East Jaintia Hills district. The Forest and Environment Department has issued a notification prohibiting new coke oven plants and restricting the expansion of existing units within the Soo Kilo and Umtyra industrial clusters, including a 10-kilometre buffer zone around them. The prohibitory order is based on a detailed environmental study by Enviro Infra Solutions Pvt Ltd, which highlighted significant emissions of air pollutants in the area. The findings were subsequently reviewed by an Expert Technical Committee and the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB).
The assessment indicated that the clusters are approaching the threshold for classification as a Critically Polluted Area under the Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index (CEPI). The government has directed all existing coke oven units to strictly comply with prescribed emission and effluent standards. Industries have been asked to install and continuously maintain approved Air Pollution Control Devices (APCDs). The MSPCB has been tasked with intensifying monitoring, regular inspections, and strict enforcement actions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, and the Environment (Protection) Act. The notification further mandates the development of green belts around industrial units and effective measures to control fugitive emissions.