Lafarge India Pvt Ltd, which is planning to set up a cement plant at Nongkhlieh in Jaintia hills, today said the company was fully committed to environment protection and compliance with other statutory regulations.
The statement comes in the wake of recent protests by the people living in the proposed cement plant area, citing health hazards and loss of paddy fields.
According to Lafarge, it has obtained a single window clearance from the Meghalaya government for the proposed 1.1 million tonne integrated cement plant at Nongkhlieh, which, at an estimated cost of Rs 1,000 crore, will be one of the biggest private sector investments in the region.
The proposed cement plant is the second venture of Lafarge in Meghalaya. The first one dealt with export of limestones to Bangladesh through a conveyor belt from Shella, which is located on the border in East Khasi Hills district.
The company has obtained NOC from traditional institutions like the dorbar and submitted applications for necessary permits and approvals to the authorities.
Lafarge said no construction or mining activity has yet commenced at the proposed project site. As the project will not progress without conducting a proper environmental impact assessment and other clearances, any apprehensions raised at this stage about the environmental impact of the project would be premature and unfounded, it added.
The company said a detailed MoU had been signed for the benefit of the residents. It sets down the “commercial terms” of the project, the safeguards to be adopted for environment protection and local area development activities to be undertaken by the company for health, education and employment generation.
According to Lafarge, the company, in line with the employment policy of the state, would give preference to the residents of Meghalaya for all employment opportunities.
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