A recent report by Swiss air technology firm IQAir has identified Byrnihat, a small industrial hub on the Meghalaya-Assam border, as the most polluted city in the world. The town, located nearly 2,000 kilometers from Delhi, recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 128.2 micrograms per cubic meter—far exceeding the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safe limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter.
PM2.5 pollutants, which originate from vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and biomass burning, pose serious health risks, including respiratory issues, heart disease, and cancer. According to the 2024 World Air Quality Report, Byrnihat is followed by Delhi, Karaganda (Kazakhstan), Lahore (Pakistan), and Faridabad (Haryana) as the most polluted cities globally.
Despite a worsening air quality trend, Delhi remains the most polluted capital city, with its PM2.5 concentration rising from 102.4 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023 to 108.3 micrograms per cubic meter in 2024. Meanwhile, India ranked as the world’s fifth most polluted country, improving from its third-place ranking in 2023. However, 13 of the 20 most polluted cities worldwide were from India, with locations like Mullanpur, Loni, Gurugram, Greater Noida, and Muzaffarnagar making the list.
Meghalaya Government Responds
In response to the report, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma addressed the state assembly, stating that the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) found Byrnihat’s air quality to be relatively better on the Meghalaya side than across the border in Assam. He suggested that industrial activities in Assam could be a major contributor to the region’s air pollution, highlighting that Byrnihat’s Assam side houses 20 high-pollution “red category” industries, compared to just five in Meghalaya.
Mr. Sangma confirmed that he had written to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and was awaiting a response. Acknowledging the seriousness of the issue, he emphasized the need for joint action between Meghalaya and Assam to curb pollution and improve air quality in Byrnihat.
“This is not something we want our state to be known for, especially since tourism is a key industry for us,” Sangma stated. He assured that Meghalaya had already taken steps by identifying polluters and issuing closure notices over the past year.
With the worsening pollution levels in Byrnihat and across India, the report underscores the urgent need for coordinated efforts to tackle air quality concerns in the region.
