Shillong (Meghalaya), March 13: The Meghalaya government has contested the recent media reports labeling Byrnihat as the “world’s most polluted city”, citing contradictory data from the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB).
In a statement to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister in charge of the Forest and Environment Department, referred to the IQAir’s World Air Quality Report 2024, which stated that Byrnihat recorded an average PM2.5 concentration of 128.2 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3).
However, the MSPCB’s data from its four manual ambient air quality monitoring stations in Byrnihat town revealed a significantly lower annual average PM2.5 concentration of 50.1 µg/m3 for 2024.
Furthermore, the MSPCB’s data from January to March 2025 showed an overall improvement in air quality, with PM2.5 concentrations ranging from 20-40 µg/m3.
The government’s statement has sparked a debate on the accuracy of air quality data and the need for reliable monitoring systems. While the MSPCB’s data suggests that Byrnihat’s air quality is not as severe as reported, environmentalists argue that the city still faces significant pollution challenges.
