Meghalaya: HITO Opposes Cement Factory in East Jaintia Hills, Says It Will Be Another Threat to Environment and Locals

The Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) Narpuh Circle in Meghalaya has opposed the setting up of another cement factory in Wahiajer Narpuh, East Jaintia Hills District.

In its letter to the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) dared  October 9, 2024,  HITO expressed its strong concerns about the proposed cement factory to be set up by
Meghatop Cement and said that the area already has 8 cement factories, another one will add to the deteriorating environmental condition and pollute the area further.

Flagging the issue of unemployment in the area, a HITO member said, “The majority of workers in the state’s cement factories are not locals, as the manufacturers prefer to hire 70% non-locals over locals. This is a direct insult to our rights”.

The organisation also raised the issue of entry of outsiders into the region saying this would hurt the future of the young people of the region and urged the authorities to stop the public hearing for the proposed project.

It said that the self-governance of the locals would be threatened if non-locals took control of today’s commercial activities.

The organisation also warned the state government to stop the public hearing immediately.

The organisation said that the government should establish a training center in East Jaintia Hills instead of these cement factories because the villages where they are located are full of dust within the homes and alleys.

Electrical, mechanical, computer, and automobile courses ought to be offered at these training facilities so that young people can improve their capabilities and seek for jobs in such cement factories.

The proposed factory is set to have a capacity of 3.3 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) clinker, 2.8 MTPA cement, and a 16MW Waste Heat Recovery System.