East Jaintia Hills district has been declared free of unauthorised coke plants after the district administration carried out a demolition drive, rendering all 11 illegal units non-operational.
Deputy Commissioner Shivansh Awasthi said the action was taken following repeated violations by plant owners and in compliance with directions of the Meghalaya High Court. “All 11 unauthorised coke plants are now non-operational,” he said.
The demolition drive was conducted on December 13 under the supervision of Sub-Divisional Officer Manish Kumar. A joint team comprising officials from the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board and police personnel carried out the operation.
According to the district administration, a total of 16 coke plants were identified as operating without mandatory approvals. Five of these units had been demolished earlier, while the remaining 11 continued operations despite lacking authorisation.
Notices were issued to the 11 units in October 2025, directing owners to submit compliance documents for regularisation. However, none of the operators responded, the deputy commissioner said.
During the latest drive, seven coke plants were demolished, while four were found to have already been dismantled by their owners ahead of the operation.
Officials said the move underscores the administration’s firm stance on enforcing environmental norms and court orders in the district.