173/2022-2023

Lunglei the 17the September,2022 - Members of Lunglei District Monitoring Committee On Compliance Of Environmental Laws today conducted spot verification of spoil banks along NH-54 Package V stretch (Dawn to Thualthu) visited Hrangchalkawn, Theiriat, Thaizawl, Bualte, Thualthu, Lungpuizawl, Zobawk & Dawn villages to verify the status of spoil banks along the stretch.

Pu Kulothungan A stated that the committee is tasked with any and all matters regarding safeguard of the environment for all development projects in Lunglei District, and as such, swift action will be taken against those found in violation of Environmental Laws within the District. He instructed representatives of ABCI to ensure that excavated soil are dumped only into the identified soil banks, and to construct appropriate protective walls so as to prevent damage and siltation to any land, lakes or rivers. He instructed them to give high priority to the issue, and ensure compliance so as to avoid repercussions.

At the first meeting of Lunglei District Monitoring Committee on Compliance of Environmental Laws held on 22^nd June, 2022, contractors on NH-54 and NH-302 were instructed to dump excavated soil only into the identified soil banks, and to construct appropriate protective walls so as to prevent damage and siltation to any land, lakes or rivers. They had been given a timeline of 15 days for compliance; however today’s verification team found that the contractors are yet to comply with the instruction.

As per report by ABCI Hrangchalkawn Project Manager Pu Amarjit Singh, there are 25 designated spoil banks along the NH-54 Package V stretch; of these, 15 are completed, 3 are under construction and 7 are pending. At today’s inspection, drones were used for aerial verification of the gabion and protective wall structures along the spoil banks. The contractors have been instructed to expedite construction of the structures, and to repair those that were damaged during the monsoon.

Today’s verification was the third verification by members of District Monitoring Committee On Compliance Of Environmental Laws in recent months. Verifications were conducted on July 28, 2022 and September 6, 2022.

Lunglei District Monitoring Committee on Compliance of Environmental Laws, along with other Districts of the State, was constituted vide a Notification by the EFCC Department on 10^th June, 2022.