Meghalaya govt contradicts Swiss report, says Byrnihat's air quality index is satisfactory

A statement issued by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said that as per data generated from four manual ambient air quality monitoring stations of the MSPCB, Byrnyhat's average PM2.5 concentration was 50.1 microgram per cubic meter.

Guwahati: Days after Byrnihat, a small industrial town situated on the Assam-Meghalaya border, was tagged as the most polluted city in the world by a Swiss firm, Meghalaya government on Monday contradicted the report and claimed that the overall air quality index of the town between January to March (first week) was found to be satisfactory by the state Pollution Control Board (MSPCB).

A statement issued by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who also holds the portfolio of forest and environment, said that as per data generated from four manual ambient air quality monitoring stations of the MSPCB, Byrnyhat's average PM2.5 concentration was 50.1 microgram per cubic meter during 2024 and not 128.2 microgram per cubic meters as claimed by the Swiss firm.

Byrnihat has attracted a lot of attention since March 11 when Swiss air quality technology company IQAir in its World Air Quality Report 2024 called it as the world's most polluted city. The report said 13 of the world's 20 most polluted cities are in India, with Byrnihat in Meghalaya topping the list. The report said Delhi remained the most polluted capital city globally.

Heavy emissions

The Meghalaya government statement, however, said that inspection carried out at 13th Mile area in Byrnihat between January 24 and February 5 revealed violations of pollution control norms including heavy emissions from chimneys due to non-operation of pollution control devices, ineffective pollution control devices and non-transmission of online emission data. "As a result, the MSPCB issued closure notices to seven industrial units and imposed environmental compensation on two industrial units," it said.

Blame on Assam

The statement said even after closure of the industrial units, the air quality index in the areas still reflected as poor/very poor during most of the days. "This indicates that the major sources of air pollution may be attributed to industrial and other activities along the Assam side," it said.

The Byrnihat industrial area in Assam, that runs along Byrnihat town of Meghalaya, has been designated as a critically polluted area by the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi. "In fact, it is to be pointed out that there are 20 red category industries in Burnihat, Assam, as compared to five in Meghalaya side. 

When asked about Meghalaya's fingers to the industrial units in Assam, chairman of Assam State Pollution Control Board, Arup Mishra told DH on Monday, "We are doing our monitoring and assessment now."