Meghalaya and Assam Called On to Address Byrnihat Pollution Crisis

Shillong, March 6th, 2025: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma called for concerted efforts from Assam and Meghalaya to address Byrnihat's poor air quality, a border town on the two states. India's worst urban agglomeration of 2024, Byrnihat is situated between two of the nation's largest industrial belts and thus is very sensitive to high intensities of poor air quality. The senior minister's head minister said that he would formally talk to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma so that there can be joint effort in solving the problem.

Higher Rate of Pollution in Byrnihat:-
Byrnihat's air conditioner has become a quickly increasing problem following 2023 when Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) initially ranked it as India's most polluted city location. Trumping Delhi and other city urban locations, Byrnihat registered an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 302, placing it within the "very poor" band. Nothing was changed in 2024, which is symbolic of the inability to impose big changes in a bid to curb pollution.

The elevated level of pollution in Byrnihat is primarily brought about by industrial emissions from Assam and Meghalaya. The plants are situated near the town, and it is through them that the majority of them operate without adherence to any environmental regulation. The deteriorating air quality poses a serious threat to both human and employees' health, threatening long-term respiratory sicknesses as well as an environment deterioration.

Government Actions and Proposed Measures:-
During a state assembly debate, Chief Minister Sangma said Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) has been directed to conduct surprise inspections of units. He asserted that the seven units operating against environmental law have been shut down, and others will be taken in accordance if the situation calls for it. It is not willing to wait before going the whole hog in stringent measures to check the pollution and calling upon Assam to act on its land as well.

For the proper control of pollution, chief minister stressed coordination between the two state pollution control boards. He mentioned that pollution is a shared problem and cannot be controlled by any single state. Industrial emission control, environmental norms enforcement, and strengthening of monitoring systems are significant steps in the direction of improving Byrnihat's air quality.

Community Involvement and Future Outlook:-
Apart from government programs, the highest chief minister even appealed to local communities to unite in anti-pollution efforts. Pollution cause awareness campaigns and encouraging green industrial practices will prove beneficial in long-term effects. Incorporating local stakeholders, industry, and environmental groups will be important towards guaranteeing sustained efforts in controlling pollution.

Unprecedented pollution by Byrnihat demands action on the part of the state governments and industrial actors. There should be a steady policy regime, severe enforcement of green laws, and investment in eco-friendly technology in order to minimize levels of pollution. Meghalaya's initiative to act against the culprits is most welcome, but concrete action will have to be ensured through collaboration between the two states.

The bad air quality of Byrnihat is a call to action for policymakers. The condition warrants immediate intervention to prevent long-term health and environmental consequences. Collective efforts by governments, industry players, and society can enable Byrnihat to transition to cleaner air and a brighter future.

Source: Meghalaya State Government, CPCB Reports