Byrnihat, a small industrial town on the Assam-Meghalaya border, has made headlines for an unfortunate reason—it has been declared India’s most polluted city in 2024, surpassing even New Delhi. The latest World Air Quality Report 2024, published by Swiss firm IQAir, paints a grim picture of air pollution in the region, bringing back focus to this town that has transformed into a gas chamber.
ALSO READ: Editorial | Guwahati Chokes On Rising Pollution As Authorities Ignore Environmental Rules
The Alarming Statistics
According to the report, Byrnihat recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 128.2 µg/m³, making it the most polluted metropolitan area of 2024. This level of air pollution is more than 25 times the WHO’s safe limit of 5 µg/m³. The report highlights that India continues to struggle with deteriorating air quality, with six of the world’s ten most polluted cities being in the country. Although India’s overall ranking improved slightly—from the third most polluted country in 2023 to the fifth in 2024—it remains a major hotspot of air pollution.
Why is Byrnihat so Polluted?
Several factors contribute to Byrnihat’s alarming pollution levels:
1. Unregulated Industrial Activities
Byrnihat has developed into an industrial hub with numerous small-scale industries producing ferroalloys, cement, polythene products, and rubber items. Many of these units operate with inadequate pollution control measures, releasing harmful emissions into the air.
2. High Vehicular Emissions
Being a crucial transit point for goods between Assam and Meghalaya, Byrnihat experiences heavy truck movement every day. Diesel-powered trucks, often poorly maintained, emit large amounts of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, adding to the pollution burden.
3. Weak Environmental Regulations
While pollution control boards have raised concerns, enforcement remains weak. The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) issued closure notices to several ferroalloy factories last year for violating environmental norms, but many industries continue to function with little oversight.
4. Geographical and Climatic Factors
Byrnihat’s location, surrounded by hills and forests, makes pollution dispersion difficult. During winter, temperature inversions trap pollutants close to the surface, making air quality even worse.
Health and Environmental Impact
The deteriorating air quality in Byrnihat is a severe threat to public health. The high levels of PM2.5—tiny airborne particles that penetrate deep into the lungs—are linked to:
• Respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Cardiovascular issues, including increased risks of heart attacks and strokes.
• Neurological disorders, as prolonged exposure to air pollution is associated with cognitive decline.
• Complications during pregnancy, leading to premature births and low birth weight in newborns.
Apart from human health, the environment is also suffering. Pollutants from industries and vehicular emissions settle on trees, reducing their ability to absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. Nearby water bodies are at risk of contamination due to airborne pollutants depositing into rivers and lakes, further harming biodiversity.
Lessons for Guwahati and Northeast India
Byrnihat’s crisis is a wake-up call for the entire Northeast, particularly Guwahati, which is also struggling with increasing air pollution. The proximity of Byrnihat to Assam’s capital means that pollution from the industrial town is likely affecting Guwahati’s air quality as well. The unchecked expansion of industries and rising vehicular emissions in Guwahati could push the city toward a similar crisis if immediate steps are not taken.
The Need for Urgent Action
To prevent Byrnihat from becoming an irreversible environmental disaster, both Assam and Meghalaya governments must take immediate and coordinated action:
1. Stricter Industrial Regulations – Industries must comply with pollution control norms, and violators should face stricter penalties. Adoption of cleaner production technologies should be made mandatory.
2. Reducing Vehicular Emissions – Implementation of stricter emission norms, promotion of electric vehicles, and improved public transport can help curb pollution from transport.
3. Improving Air Quality Monitoring – More real-time air quality monitoring stations should be installed across Byrnihat and nearby areas to track pollution levels accurately and take data-driven policy actions.
4. Afforestation and Green Initiatives – Large-scale tree plantation drives around Byrnihat and industrial zones can help absorb pollutants and improve air quality.
5. Community Awareness and Participation – Local communities, businesses, and industries must be made aware of the health risks associated with air pollution and encouraged to adopt sustainable practices.
Conclusion
Byrnihat’s pollution crisis highlights the urgent need for better environmental policies and stricter enforcement in the Northeast. If immediate corrective measures are not taken, the region risks facing a severe public health emergency. The responsibility lies not just with policymakers and industries but also with the public, who must demand cleaner air and sustainable development. Byrnihat should serve as a warning—not just for Assam and Meghalaya, but for all rapidly industrialising regions in India. Without decisive action, more cities may find themselves suffocating under toxic air in the years to come.
(The author is a science journalist, sustainability advocate, former Director of Assam Seed & Organic Certification Agency, and Assam’s Ex-Joint Director of Agriculture. All views and opinions expressed are author’s own)