Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Dr. Mukul Sangma, has called for immediate intervention by both Assam and Meghalaya after Byrnihat was declared the world’s most polluted city.
The World Air Quality Report 2024 by Swiss air technology firm IQAir revealed that Byrnihat recorded the highest PM2.5 concentration globally last year, averaging 128.2 µg/m³. The report, which analyzed data from 40,000 air quality monitoring stations across 8,954 locations in 138 countries, placed Byrnihat at the top of the list of the world’s 20 most polluted cities, with Delhi retaining its position as the most polluted capital.
“This is the reality. So this is somewhere which is outside our border that is also part of the nomenclature. The village is Byrnihat—Assam also has Byrnihat, Meghalaya also has Byrnihat. So both states must come together, and authorities should be on the job. A collective effort is required,” said Dr. Sangma, stressing the need for joint efforts between the two states.
Byrnihat, a heavily industrialized town, has been plagued by rising pollution levels due to unchecked emissions from distilleries, iron and steel plants, and other factories.
Dr. Sangma underscored the urgency of strict regulatory enforcement. “We have different laws governing this. We have the NGT—I think the NGT usually takes cognizance of all these concerns. It should be because, see, this whole issue of pollution we are talking about is in a particular area bordering Assam. Now, therefore, it is not just the industries on our side; it is also the industries on the other side of our Assam-Meghalaya border. There has to be a collective endeavor involving the authorities of both states, and we must come up with the desired solution and interventions that industries must comply with to address emissions and resultant pollution.”
As residents continue to suffer, the absence of immediate action raises serious concerns. Dr. Sangma recalled his own experience in Byrnihat, highlighting the grim reality for those living there. “All these things require serious focus and priority, and the absence of action only reflects their priorities. This should be one of the priorities because it will have serious ramifications on the well-being and health of the people there—not just its contribution to overall climate change, but also the immediate residents. I have been there. Once upon a time, when I was having lunch, I couldn’t eat because of the dust falling on the plate. Then they were saying, ‘Sir, you see how we are staying?’”
While India’s overall air quality improved by 7% in 2024, Byrnihat’s pollution crisis has only deepened, making it a global hotspot for hazardous air. With growing demands for accountability and immediate intervention, the onus now lies on Assam and Meghalaya to take decisive action before the situation spirals further out of control.