Meghalaya boosts pollution tracking, unveils real-time air quality monitoring system in Byrnihat
Shillong (PTI): Meghalaya has ramped up air-quality surveillance in the industrial town of Byrnihat - flagged in recent assessments as one of the country’s most polluted towns - with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma inaugurating a Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System (CAAQMS) in Ri-Bhoi district, officials said.
Located along the Assam-Meghalaya border, Byrnihat has featured among India’s worst pollution hotspots in studies by IQAir and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, they said.
The newly installed CAAQMS will provide real-time data on major air-quality indicators, helping authorities take timely corrective action and frame evidence-based policies, the officials said.
Earlier in Shillong, Sangma, who also oversees the Forests and Environment Department, chaired a review meeting of the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) to assess its functioning and streamline operations.
“We had positive discussions and reviewed the working of the board. We also discussed steps to streamline its functioning to make it more effective,” he said, adding that a follow-up meeting will be held in January to outline measures for expanding the board’s mandate.
The chief minister also inaugurated a zero liquid discharge effluent treatment plant and a 47 kW grid-connected rooftop solar photovoltaic system at the MSPCB office, before visiting the board’s laboratories, the officials added.
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Vote rigging charges against MLA DN Jeevaraj: HC grants interim stay on FIR
Bengaluru: Karnataka High Court has issued an interim stay on the FIR against Sringeri legislator DN Jeevaraj, who is accused of vote rigging.
A vacation bench consisting of Justice V Sreeshananda heard on Tuesday the BJP MLA’s plea urging the HC to quash the case against him.
After hearing the arguments, the judge granted an interim stay on the case against Jeevaraj.
The hearing of the case has been adjourned to Thursday, May 7.
