Not Delhi! Why this small town in Meghalaya is world’s most polluted

India has been named home to 13 of the world’s top 20 most polluted cities. Once again, contrary to popular perception, it is not Delhi or Mumbai leading the list. Instead, Byrnihat in Meghalaya has emerged as the most polluted city globally, according to the World Air Quality Report 2024 by Swiss air quality monitoring firm IQAir.

Unlike India’s metropolitan hubs, this northeastern town -- once renowned for its greenery and natural resources -- now struggles with toxic air levels due to unchecked industrial emissions and heavy truck traffic.

Located on the Meghalaya-Assam border, rapid industrialisation and rising vehicular emissions have turned Byrnihat into a pollution hotspot, with PM2.5 and PM10 levels reaching hazardous levels year-round.

How did Byrnihat become the world’s most polluted city?

Byrnihat has become a major industrial hub, housing over 41 factories, including iron and steel plants, cement factories, distilleries, and beverage production units. These industries emit massive amounts of particulate matter, making the town’s air quality consistently “very poor.”

Adding to the crisis is its role as a key transit point between Meghalaya and Assam. Heavy truck traffic spewing toxic exhaust contributes further to soaring pollution levels.

A city choking without oversight

Unlike Delhi, Mumbai, or other major cities, Byrnihat lacks a dedicated pollution control authority. Instead, environmental oversight is handled from Shillong, nearly 70 km away, meaning pollution levels often go unchecked for long periods. Local authorities admit that enforcement is weak, allowing industries to operate with minimal regulatory pressure.

How does Byrnihat compare to other polluted cities?

The IQAir report ranks Byrnihat as the world’s worst polluted city, while Delhi remains the most polluted capital city. Although India’s PM2.5 concentration improved slightly from 54.4 µg/m³ in 2023 to 50.6 µg/m³ in 2024, Byrnihat’s air remains at extreme hazard levels.

Six of the world’s top 10 most polluted cities are still in India, highlighting the country’s severe air pollution crisis.

What can be done?

With Byrnihat now in the global pollution spotlight, environmental experts are calling for urgent intervention, including:

• Stricter emissions regulations for industrial units.
• A dedicated local pollution monitoring body to ensure year-round air quality checks.
• Traffic control measures to reduce emissions from heavy vehicles.
• Increased afforestation efforts to help absorb pollutants.

Byrnihat’s pollution crisis is a wake-up call for India, proving that even regions celebrated for their natural beauty are not immune to industrial devastation. With residents breathing some of the world’s most toxic air, urgent steps are needed to reverse the damage and restore Byrnihat’s lost ecological balance.