Meghalaya MP Ricky J Syngkon has urged the Centre to take immediate action over the environmental degradation of the Umngot River in West Jaintia Hills, allegedly caused by the ongoing Shillong–Tamabil road expansion project. Once known as Asia’s cleanest river for its crystal-clear waters at Dawki on the Indo–Bangladesh border, the Umngot has reportedly turned brown and lifeless.
In a letter addressed to Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, Syngkon stated that large-scale dumping of soil and debris from hill-cutting work along the 71-km NH-40 project has led to the discolouration of the river. The project is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The MP alleged that the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) permitted excavated materials to be dumped directly into the Umtyngar and Umngot river systems without proper spoil bank management or silt containment measures. He also criticised the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board for failing to act despite visible environmental violations.
Drawing parallels with a similar case in Uttarakhand, Syngkon referred to the National Green Tribunal’s decision to impose a Rs 2 crore fine on a project for damaging the Bhagirathi River, asserting that the same accountability should apply to NHIDCL.
Syngkon highlighted that the river sustains hundreds of local families through tourism-related activities such as boating, homestays, food stalls, and handicrafts. However, the recent deterioration in water quality has resulted in a drop in tourist inflow, with many visitors cancelling trips this season.
He also questioned whether JICA’s environmental safeguards and the required Environmental Impact Assessments were properly implemented and called for a central probe. The MP demanded an immediate halt to hill-cutting and soil disposal activities affecting the river, a joint inspection by a high-level team, quarterly independent monitoring, and a comprehensive river restoration plan.
