Shillong MP seeks freeze on cement plant clearance in East Jaintia Hills
Shillong, Feb 15: Shillong MP Ricky A J Syngkon has sought an immediate freeze on the environmental clearance process for a proposed integrated cement plant in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district, citing serious environmental and procedural concerns. In a representation to Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav, Syngkon urged authorities to suspend proceedings related to the project proposed by Shree Cement Limited at Daistong village, pending an independent review into alleged irregularities and cumulative environmental impacts. The project includes a 0.95 million tonnes per annum (TPA) clinker unit, a 0.99 million TPA cement grinding unit, a 15 MW captive power plant, a 7 MW waste heat recovery system and associated infrastructure spread across 25.08 hectares. Noting that East Jaintia Hills already hosts several cement and extractive industries, the MP cautioned against evaluating projects in isolation. He warned that granting clearance without assessing cumulative regional impacts could weaken environmental safeguards and undermine sustainable development principles.