JOWAI: People of Narpuh Elaka have welcomed the setting up of a Rs 360-crore cement plant - the Hills Cements Co Limited (HCCL) -- at Mynkre village in Jaintia Hills, under Khliehriat Sub-Division, overriding protests from few organisations. Participating at a public hearing, organised by Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board on Friday at Mynkre, the local leaders, chief of Narpuh Elaka, headmen, secretaries of different villages, NGO representatives gave the green signal for the proposed integrated cement plant with a production capacity of 3000 MT per day along with 10 MVA coal-base captive thermal plant, and a 3000 TPD limestone mining project. The plant will be commissioned in December 2009. Among 56 representatives (representatives of NGOs, villages, local leaders) who addressed the public hearing on Friday at Mynkre, only six raised their voice against the project, fearing damage to the ecological system and the environment. Speaking on the occasion, HCCL Managing Director Ashok Singhal assured that bio-diversity and ecology of the areas would be the utmost priority for which the company has adopted latest technology for environmental protection. Besides, the company, owned by Thomas Nongtdu of Myndihati village, would set up medical camp, organise programmes for the welfare of women and children, provide safe drinking water to the local people, repair and improve existing schools, health centres, community centres among other places of importance. The meeting was chaired by the Additional Deputy Commissioner MW Nongbri.