Byrnihat, a bustling industrial town on the Assam-Meghalaya border, has been named the world’s most polluted metropolitan area in the recently released 2024 World Air Quality Report. However, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has cast doubts over the accuracy of this ranking, attributing the alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) figures to an Assam-based monitoring station. Expressing his concerns, Sangma emphasized that the pollution data being widely reported originates from a station in Assam, not Meghalaya. “All the records cited in newspaper reports are based on AQI measurements taken from Assam’s monitoring station, which recorded very poor air quality,” he stated. “However, when we analyzed data from three monitoring stations in Meghalaya in January 2025, our readings indicated air quality levels ranging from satisfactory to moderate.”
Byrnihat, a key industrial hub, has witnessed a steady rise in pollution due to rapid industrialization, vehicular emissions, and unregulated construction activities. The worsening air quality has become a major concern for residents and environmentalists alike. Despite this, the debate over the credibility of AQI data has now taken center stage, with the Meghalaya government questioning whether the figures accurately reflect the state’s pollution levels. Sangma reassured citizens that his government remains committed to ensuring better air quality but called for fair and precise representation of the data. “We acknowledge the importance of air quality monitoring, but it is crucial that accurate data is presented. The alarming figures cited are not from Meghalaya’s stations,” he asserted.
In response to the controversy, the Meghalaya government is expected to conduct a thorough review of its air quality monitoring mechanisms, particularly in border regions. Environmentalists, meanwhile, have urged both Assam and Meghalaya to enhance cooperation in tackling pollution and improving monitoring standards.With industries, vehicles, and construction activities contributing significantly to the deteriorating air quality, experts warn that immediate action is required to mitigate the environmental impact. The need for stricter emission controls, sustainable industrial practices, and coordinated efforts between neighboring states has become more urgent than ever.