Archive · 31 Oct 2025
Shillong MP Alleges NHIDCL Polluting Umngot River, Urges Action
A politician in Shillong is worried because a beautiful river, the Umngot, is getting dirty.
This is happening because a company called NHIDCL is building a bigger road nearby and is digging up a lot of earth.
The politician says they are throwing the dirt and rocks into the river, making the water muddy.
This is bad because the river is usually very clear and people visit to see it.
It also hurts the businesses of people who work in tourism there.
The politician has written to a national minister asking him to stop the dumping and make sure the company follows rules to protect the environment.
They also want other government groups to check if the rules are being followed.
Shillong MP Ricky Syngkon has raised concerns about the pollution of the Umngot river.
The pollution is attributed to soil and material dumping by NHIDCL during the Shillong-Tamabil highway expansion project.
The Umngot river, known for its clear waters and tourism, is reportedly becoming muddy due to upstream construction activities.
Syngkon alleges a lack of environmental safeguards and calls for accountability and immediate action to stop river dumping.
The MP has requested a joint inspection by central and state government agencies and cited past environmental violations by NHIDCL.
- Who
- Shillong Lok Sabha member Ricky Syngkon and local communities, tourism operators, and environmental organizations.
- What
- Allegations of severe environmental degradation and pollution of the Umngot river due to NHIDCL's dumping of soil and construction materials during the Shillong-Tamabil road expansion project.
- When
- Ongoing construction activities, with concern raised on October 31.
- Where
- Umngot and Umtyngar rivers in Meghalaya, near Umtyngar and Dawki.
- Why
- Soil erosion and dumping of excavated materials into the rivers caused by earth cutting for highway widening, with alleged lack of spoil bank management or silt containment measures.
Shillong MP and Local Concerns
NHIDCL and Project Implementation (Implicit)
Environmental Impact of Construction
Shillong MP and Local Concerns
NHIDCL's construction activities, particularly earth cutting and dumping of excavated materials, are causing severe pollution and degradation of the Umngot river.
NHIDCL and Project Implementation (Implicit)
The article does not present NHIDCL's direct response, but implies their actions are in line with highway expansion project implementation.
Adherence to Environmental Safeguards
Shillong MP and Local Concerns
There is a lack of visible spoil bank management and silt containment measures, violating basic environmental safeguards and global standards.
NHIDCL and Project Implementation (Implicit)
The article implies that safeguards may not be adequately implemented, as it mentions past NHIDCL precedents where fines were imposed for similar offenses.
Action by Authorities
Shillong MP and Local Concerns
The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board has not taken action, and the MP urges Union Minister Gadkari to ensure accountability and oversight.
NHIDCL and Project Implementation (Implicit)
The article does not state any actions taken by NHIDCL or relevant state agencies in response to the MP's concerns, suggesting a lack of immediate remedial action.
- River Name
- Umngot River (also known as Dawki River)
- Project
- Shillong-Tamabil Road Expansion Project (NH-40 expansion)
- Implementing Agency
- National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL)
- Funding Agency
- Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
- Concern Raised By
- Shillong Lok Sabha member Ricky Syngkon
- Date of Concern
- October 31