Cabinet Minister and Jirang MLA Sosthenes Sohtun has said that the worsening pollution levels in Byrnihat are a shared responsibility of industries operating in both Meghalaya and Assam, and that the Meghalaya side alone cannot be held accountable. Speaking on the issue, Sohtun pointed out that industrial units on both sides of the inter-state border contribute to the high pollution levels in the area. While acknowledging that steps are being taken to reduce pollution, he admitted that certain units continue to violate environmental norms. The minister asserted that the Meghalaya government is making all possible efforts to control pollution and strengthen monitoring mechanisms. He urged the state authorities to push the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Assam Pollution Control Board to take strict action against industries found flouting environmental regulations.
Responding to queries on why real-time pollution data is not readily available for the area, Sohtun said the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) has made consistent efforts to monitor and regulate pollution. However, he conceded that violations by some industries persist despite these measures. Byrnihat, an industrial hub located along the Assam–Meghalaya border, has repeatedly been ranked among the most polluted cities in India and even globally in various assessments, including reports by IQAir and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). In response to such findings, the MSPCB has carried out a series of surprise inspections and environmental audits of industries in and around Byrnihat. Authorities have recommended continued audits, installation of real-time emission monitoring systems, and stronger inter-state coordination between Meghalaya and Assam to ensure long-term improvement in air quality.