East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal on Tuesday inspected the heavily polluted river at Urkaliar along with village leaders, officials, police personnel and representatives of the Mawpat C&RD Block.
The inspection was aimed at assessing the extent of pollution and engaging with local representatives over the river, which flows through Urkaliar from neighbouring areas.
Officials from the Shillong Municipal Board, Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, Mawpat C&RD Block and traffic police, along with magistrates, senior police officers and village representatives from Lapalang, Nongmensong, Umpling, Nongrah and Urkaliar, took part in the inspection. Patricia Mukhim of Operation Clean Up Shillong was also present.
Speaking after the visit, Baranwal said he wanted to personally assess the situation before initiating further action. He said a meeting would soon be held at his office to formulate a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to prevent dumping once the river is cleaned.
Local representatives and voluntary organisations urged the administration to impose strict measures against those dumping waste and turning the river into a major pollution hotspot.
