Meghalaya CM Blames Industries On Assam Side For Byrnihat's Poor Air Quality

SHILLONG: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma blamed industrial emission from Assam for the hazardous air quality in Byrnihat, a town straddling the inter-state border between Assam and Meghalaya. It lies about 30 km from Guwahati and 70 km from Shillong, serving as a gateway to the Meghalaya capital.

CM Sangma stated that the poor air quality in Byrnihat may be attributed to "industrial and other activities along the Assam side."

Notably, Byrnihat was ranked as the most polluted city in the world with an average PM2.5 concentration of 128.2 µg/m³—surpassing Delhi and Lahore. This is according to the World Air Quality Report 2024, released by Swiss Air Quality Technology Company IQAir.

The Meghalaya CM, while addressing the state assembly, highlighted that the air quality in the Meghalaya side of Byrnihat was found to be satisfactory by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB).

He went on to add that the air quality in Assam's side of the town is still reflected as 'poor to very poor,' as reported by the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station installed in the Central Academy for State Forest Service.

There are 20 “red category” industries in Byrnihat, Assam, compared to only five in Byrnihat, Meghalaya. In response, the Assam Pollution Control Board (APCB), under directions from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and CPCB, has prepared an action plan to restore and improve environmental conditions in Byrnihat, Assam, CM Sangma informed.

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