"Pollution in Byrnihat potentially originates from Assam": Meghalaya Deputy CM

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• Oct 27, 2023 | Dhupali Das

Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong expressed concerns and suggested that the pollution might originate from factories and industries in neighboring Assam...

Digital Desk: In response to the latest Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report, which labeled Byrnihat, Ri Bhoi, as the most polluted area in India with an air quality index (AQI) of 302, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong expressed concerns and suggested that the pollution might originate from factories and industries in neighboring Assam.

Tynsong, speaking about the alarming AQI results, highlighted the stark contrast in air quality between Byrnihat and nearby areas. While Guwahati, just across the state border in Assam, recorded a 'Satisfactory' AQI of 63, the state capital Shillong enjoyed a 'Good' rating with an AQI of 15. This stark contrast in air quality indices raised questions about pollution sources.

The Deputy Chief Minister pointed out the geographical proximity of Byrnihat to Assam, with factories and industries lining the Assam side. He noted that on the Meghalaya side, there are designated industrial estates and monitored factories under the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB). Still, he expressed concerns about the unmonitored factories operating in Assam.

"As far as Byrnihat is concerned, the left side while going to Guwahati is Meghalaya, and the right side is Assam. I think you must have seen quite a number of factories all along the right side, whereas from our left side, we have only a designated industrial estate, and we do also have factories, but it is well monitored by the MSPCB," Tynsong explained.

To address the issue, Tynsong has instructed the Chief Secretary to engage in discussions with his counterpart in Assam to find ways to monitor and control pollution sources across the border.

In the CPCB's list of the most polluted cities, Byrnihat topped the chart with an AQI categorized as 'very poor.' It was followed by Hanumangarh (297), Greater Noida (278), Faridabad (270), Manesar (251), Bahadurgarh (247), Delhi (243), Meerut (240), Ballabgarh (234), and several others.

The CPCB classifies AQI as follows: 'Good' (0-50), 'Satisfactory' (51-100), 'Moderate' (101-200), 'Poor' (201-300), 'Very Poor' (301-400), and 'Severe' (401-500). Byrnihat's alarming AQI highlights the need for urgent action to curb pollution and ensure clean and breathable air for the residents of the region.