Plans for a major new cement production hub in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills have run into regulatory and local opposition that could reshape how industrial expansion is balanced with environmental safeguards in the northeast. A senior elected representative has urged central authorities to halt the environmental clearance process for the proposed integrated facility, citing procedural irregularities and concerns over cumulative ecological impact — underscoring broader tensions between infrastructure growth and environmental stewardship in tribal and agrarian landscapes.
The project, backed by one of India’s large cement manufacturers, envisions a 0.95 million tonnes per annum clinker unit, a 0.99 million TPA cement grinding facility, a 15 MW captive power plant, and a 7 MW waste heat recovery system across more than 25 ha of land in Daistong village. While envisaged as a capacity expansion to meet rising construction demand in the region, its progress now hinges on an independent review of the environmental clearance proceedings after sustained objections from political and community actors.A member of Parliament from the Shillong region has formally asked the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to suspend the clearance process. In a representation to the federal environment minister, the MP cited concerns over the adequacy of the public consultation process, the need for a comprehensive assessment of cumulative environmental impact, and questions about compliance with land protection and tribal land regulations. This, the representative argued, should be addressed before any final decision is taken.
Independent civil society groups and local stakeholders have also raised issues around the project’s proximity to fertile agricultural lands, local water systems, and traditional livelihoods. Such organisations warn that industrial emissions, dust deposition and large-scale water withdrawal could disrupt agrarian life and ecological balance — outcomes at odds with inclusive and climate-resilient development aspirations.Infrastructure analysts note that while cement production is integral to meeting domestic construction needs, regulatory uncertainty can materially affect project timelines and investment inflows. Delays or suspension of environmental clearance can raise regulatory risk premium and prompt reassessment of project viability, particularly in regions with complex land and ecological sensitivities.
For communities in East Jaintia Hills, the debate is more than procedural. It reflects a broader discourse on how industrial growth should be planned where ecological fragility, agricultural dependence, and customary land rights intersect. As India presses ahead with infrastructure expansion in its northeast, Meghalaya’s clearance challenge may set precedents on how environmental impact assessments and public engagement processes are conducted.Looking ahead, stakeholders will watch whether the ministry agrees to an independent review — and how it strengthens or rethinks environmental governance frameworks in sensitive regions prone to cumulative industrial impact.
