Lafarge has said the company would maintain highest standards to protect the environment at the proposed cement plant site at Nongkhlei village in the limestone-rich Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya.
The proposed 1.1Mt integrated cement plant, which would probably be the largest-ever private sector investment in the region, hit a roadblock with a section of locals opposing it on environmental grounds.

A senior company official told Business Standard a section of locals was “short circuiting” the whole process by not adhering to the prescribed procedure according to law to air one’s grievances.

“There is a clear procedure for everything. The project is at a very preliminary stage. There will be a public hearing and also environment assessment done in due course. If they have any concerns, they can air them at the right forum and at the right time. Any apprehension raised at this stage about the environmental impact of the project is premature and unfounded. By opposing it at this stage, they are killing the child before it is born.”