97/2022-2023

Lunglei District Monitoring Committee On Compliance Of Environmental Laws held its maiden meeting today at Lunglei DC Conference Hall under the Chairmanship of Lunglei DC Pu Kulothungan A at Lunglei DC Conference Hall.

Member Secretary Pu PC Lalchhandama, DFO Lunglei as well as representatives of Sub Hqrs YMA, DLAO, DUDO and Dr Lalramnghaki Pachuau, Scientist B Mizoram Pollution Control Board (MPCB) were present at the meeting. Apart from the members, representatives of invitee Departments, National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) officials and Project Managers of ABCI Infrastructure, Bharatia JV (BIPL) leh SRK Constructions, contractors of the two ongoing National Highway Projects within Lunglei District, NH-54 leh NH-302 were present at the meeting.

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 NHIDCL and the contractors 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.

Member Secretary Pu PC Lalchhandama, DFO Lunglei stated that his office has conducted inspections along NH-54 & NH-302, where it was found that contractors are dumping excavated soil outside the designated dumping areas. Stay order and show cause notice have been issued, with no response so far either from NHIDCL or the contractors, he also stated.

NHIDCL officials as well as Project Managers under NH-54 (Package 3, 4, 5, 6) and NH-302 (Package A&B) gave reports on various ground level challenges and initiatives taken by them for compliance of environmental laws.

The Committee instructed the contractors 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 have been given a timeline of 15 days for compliance. Follow up meeting as well as site inspection will soon be scheduled by the Committee. 

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.