Shillong: Pollution of the Myntdu river in Meghalaya's West Jaintia Hills district has caught the attention of the Prime Minister's Office and the Brahmaputra Board has been asked to furnish a report to the PMO.

In a recent letter to the state government's water resources department, the board, which is part of the Union ministry of water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation, has sought a report on the pollution.

The water resources department was also asked to seek feedback from other departments such as the pollution control board and public health department.

The board sought information on flow of the Myntdu, its pollution level and pollution source, along with suggestions for restoration. It will study the inputs, compile information and give a report to the Union ministry for submission to the PMO.

The letter came after Sajay Laloo, a resident of West Jaintia Hills, appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to restore the Myntdu river and prevent its pollution and encroachment.The National Green Tribunal is also adjudicating the matter.

In September, the tribunal had asked the state government to specify whether common sewage treatment plants have been constructed in the municipal area of Jowai to treat domestic waste water before it is discharged into the Myntdu.

Jowai, the district headquarters of West Jaintia Hills, is about 65km from here.

The tribunal has been conducting hearings on pollution of the Myntdu since early this year.

The Jowai municipal board had earlier said the river had been severely affected because of human intervention and it has shrunk due to heavy siltation.

A report prepared by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board had said the river had turned blue because of high acid content.

Recently, the tribunal's eastern zone bench said the case had raised several vital issues pertaining to the river in areas falling under the municipal board. The tribunal is likely to hear the matter again on Thursday.