Shillong: Meghalaya’s Byrnihat has been ranked as the world’s most polluted metropolitan area, according to the 2024 World Air Quality Report.
However, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has raised concerns over the accuracy of the findings, emphasizing that the alarming air quality index (AQI) figures were recorded by an Assam-based monitoring station rather than Meghalaya’s own assessment mechanisms.
Clarifying the state’s position, Sangma stated that the AQI data cited in media reports was derived from an Assam monitoring station, which reported significantly high pollution levels. In contrast, he pointed out that Meghalaya’s own air quality monitoring equipment recorded AQI levels ranging from satisfactory to moderate in January 2025. He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to ensuring better air quality while calling for a more accurate representation of environmental data.
Byrnihat, an industrial hub situated along the Assam-Meghalaya border, has witnessed a rise in pollution levels due to rapid industrialization, vehicular emissions, and unregulated construction activities. However, the latest air quality ranking has sparked a debate over data credibility and the jurisdictional responsibility for pollution monitoring. The Meghalaya government is now expected to reassess its air quality monitoring systems and work toward addressing pollution concerns in border areas.
Environmentalists have called for greater cooperation between Assam and Meghalaya to tackle pollution and improve air quality standards. As the discussion unfolds, residents and industries in Byrnihat await clarity on the region’s environmental future, while the state government looks to strengthen its pollution control measures.
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