Guwahati: :Recent air quality data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reveals a troubling disparity in Meghalaya: Byrnihat has recorded a hazardous Air Quality Index (AQI) of 276, while Shillong remains one of India’s cleanest cities. This contrast underscores the environmental impact of rapid industrialization in Byrnihat’s industrial zone.Located just 75 kilometers from each other, these two cities exemplify the state’s growing environmental challenges. Byrnihat’s pollution crisis escalated last month, leading authorities to shut down six industrial units after inspections revealed that they were emitting PM2.5 levels nearly twice the allowed limits and lacked essential pollution monitoring equipment.These facilities had repeatedly disregarded the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board’s guidelines on emission control, failing to monitor critical pollutants like PM10, PM2.5, Sulphur Dioxide, and Nitrogen Dioxide.Conversely, Shillong has joined the ranks of cities with the cleanest air in India, alongside Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu and Nalbari in Assam. This presents a significant challenge for Meghalaya’s environmental authorities: balancing the preservation of Shillong’s air quality while tackling the industrial pollution issues in Byrnihat.In comparison, other major urban centers like Delhi are also grappling with poor air quality, reporting an AQI of 268, while neighboring cities such as Gurugram and Ghaziabad are facing similar challenges, raising serious health concerns for their residents.
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