Shillong: The Meghalaya government is reportedly facing a daunting challenge in its search for a new landfill site, as the existing one at Mawlai nears full capacity.

Despite years of exploration, the government has identified only one potential site, a 112-acre area at Nonghali, approximately 46 km from Shillong.

However, the proposed site has sparked intense opposition from locals, who cite health concerns and potential environmental hazards.

The government's assurance that it will engage with stakeholders and not impose its decision on the people has done little to alleviate the concerns.

A recent public hearing on the proposed Waste Management Plant and Landfill at Lum Sohlait, Nonghali, was disrupted by residents from 15 villages, who staged a road blockade.

They stated that the proposed 200-acre landfill poses a significant threat to the Umkhen River, a vital water source for their daily needs.

The lack of prescribed national standards for landfill areas has added to the complexity of the issue.

According to estimates, Shillong's population requires a landfill area of around 100 to 150 acres for scientific processing and disposal of solid waste.