The World Air Quality Report 2024 which was published by Swiss air technology firm IQAir, gives a detailed analysis of global air pollution levels, bringing to light the alarming trends and some important information. The report is based on data collected from over 40,000 air quality monitoring stations across 138 countries and reveals that only 17% of global cities meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) air pollution guidelines. The report also identifies the world’s most polluted countries, with Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and India topping the list. Not only this but a small town in our country has topped the list as the most polluted city globally.
Where is Byrnihat located?
Byrnihat is a small industrially saturated town on the border of India’s states of Assam and Meghalaya and it has been named the most polluted city in the world in the World Air Quality Report 2024 by Swiss air technology company IQAir. The PM2.5 reading of an alarming 128 micrograms per cubic meter in the town has ranked it at the top, beating Delhi, which is still the most polluted capital city in the world.
The high level of pollution in Byrnihat is due to the industrialization of the town at a fast pace and the high number of factories such as distilleries, iron and steel factories, and cement plants. The industries emit high levels of poisonous gases in the air, and this reduces the quality of the air to a large extent. Moreover, the heavy transport of trucks carrying goods between Assam and Meghalaya is another addition to the pollution levels.
How has the pollution impacted the residents?
The impact of Byrnihat’s deteriorating air quality on the local population has been severe as the local residents have reported a range of health issues, including respiratory problems, heart disease, and even cancer, as a result of long-term exposure to the hazardous air. In January, locals also staged protests against the rising pollution levels and their adverse effects on health. In response, authorities shut down seven industrial units in Byrnihat earlier this month for violating environmental regulations.
The state government has also advised the pollution control board to carry out inspections and take strict action against industries that fail to comply with environmental standards. Despite these efforts, the town continues to struggle with its pollution crisis, which brings into light the need for more robust and effective measures to address the issue.
What are the other polluted cities in India?
The alarming condition of Byrnihat’s is not an isolated case, as the country’s polluted conditions extend beyond this small town. The World Air Quality Report 2024 revealed that 13 Indian cities are among the world’s 20 most polluted cities, with Delhi, Punjab’s Mullanpur, Faridabad, Loni, Gurugram, Ganganagar, Greater Noida, Bhiwadi, Muzaffarnagar, Hanumangarh, and Noida also which bag a spot in the list.
India’s overall air quality has seen a slight improvement, with the country’s average PM2.5 concentration falling from 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023 to 50.6 micrograms per cubic meter in 2024. However, 35% of Indian cities still report air pollution levels exceeding the World Health Organization’s safety limits by more than tenfold
