How Byrnihat Became the World’s Most Polluted City Despite Its Small Size
India’s scenic northeastern town tops global pollution charts, outpacing major cities
Byrnihat, a modest industrial town nestled between the hills of Assam and Meghalaya, now holds the grim title of the world’s most polluted city, according to 2024 data from a Swiss-based air quality tracker. Despite its population of only 70,000, Byrnihat recorded an average PM2.5 concentration of 128.2 µg/m³ — over 25 times the safe limit recommended by global health authorities.
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A Quiet Town Choked by Industry and Traffic
Byrnihat may appear peaceful, but its atmosphere is clouded — literally. The town is home to around 80 industrial units, mostly in iron, steel, and cement, with constant truck traffic on National Highway 40 intensifying the smog. Some of these commercial vehicles use outdated engines and low-quality fuels, releasing hazardous particulates.
“Many of these trucks idle for hours, adding to the already dangerous air quality,” said one environmental researcher.
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Surge in Health Issues Tied to Toxic Air
Dr. Prasanta Kr Brahma, a local physician, reported a sharp rise in respiratory illnesses and head and neck cancers over the last few years. Between 2022 and 2024, respiratory infections in the region increased by over 76%, based on government-linked health data.
Out of 359 monitored days in 2024, 356 days in Byrnihat breached PM2.5 safety limits.
Failed Attempts to Curb Pollution
While state authorities shut down six factories earlier this year for environmental violations, air quality did not improve. Just four days after the closures, PM2.5 levels hit 385 µg/m³, the year’s highest.
Environmental experts say factory shutdowns alone won’t help unless other contributors like coal storage, vehicular emissions, and open waste burning are addressed.
“The coal stored openly across multiple sites creates fugitive emissions,” explained one environmental activist. “It turns into airborne dust and worsens the pollution.”
Geography and Neglect Make Things Worse
The town’s bowl-like topography traps pollutants, preventing dispersion. Meanwhile, less-than-normal rainfall in both Assam and Meghalaya in 2024 led to higher airborne particle retention.
Although Delhi remains the focus of most pollution discussions, Byrnihat’s situation exposes a larger blind spot: smaller industrial towns are often ignored in policy and media coverage.
