INSIDE BYRNIHAT, INDIA’S MOST POLLUTED TOWN : GROUND REPORT

INSIDE BYRNIHAT, INDIA’S MOST POLLUTED TOWN : GROUND REPORT

HIYANDRITA DAS

Byrnihat, the industrial town located along the Assam–Meghalaya border, has recently come under global attention for an alarming reason. According to recent air quality reports, Byrnihat has been ranked as India’s as well as the world’s most polluted urban area. The ranking has reignited debates over industrial pollution, environmental regulation and the health of thousands of people who call the town home.

Ironically, the latest controversy revolves around an ethanol manufacturing plant. Across the country, ethanol is promoted as a “green fuel”, seen as an environmentally friendly alternative capable of reducing carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. Yet in Byrnihat, its local production has come under intense environmental scrutiny, raising uncomfortable questions about whether clean energy can truly be called sustainable if its manufacturing process affects the communities living nearby.

Public concern has grown rapidly after viral ground reports and videos showing thick smoke-like plumes and soot around industrial areas spread across social media. Residents alleged  that the air has become increasingly polluted and that respiratory illnesses, persistent coughing and other health problems have become more common. Although medical experts say detailed scientific studies are needed to establish a direct connection, the growing number of complaints has intensified public concern.

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To understand the situation beyond official reports, I have visited Byrnihat and interacted with local residents living near the industrial belt.

Personal experiences

I had read reports about Byrnihat’s worsening air quality. But nothing prepared me for what I witnessed on my first visit.

The moment I entered the industrial belt, one thing became immediately clear ,Byrnihat is surrounded by industries. Factory after factory lined the roads, with towering chimneys rising above the landscape. In several places, I could see thick plumes drifting into the sky, creating a haze that seemed to hang over the area. The photographs taken during my visit capture this scene: chimneys releasing visible emissions, a blanket of haze over the hills, and industrial units operating close to residential settlements.

What struck me even more was the smell. The air carried a strong chemical-like Odour that lingered throughout my visit. It was unlike anything I had experienced before. As I spent more time in the area, I began to feel uncomfortable. Breathing felt heavier than usual, and there was a constant sense of suffocation.

Even after returning from Byrnihat, I developed a headache and later experienced mild nausea. While I cannot medically attribute these symptoms to the air quality, they were part of my personal experience during and after the visit.

Another observation that caught my attention was a waterbody flowing alongside parts of the industrial area. From what I saw, the stream runs close to several factories before passing through nearby villages. Residents told me that many people depend on local water sources for their daily needs, raising concerns about water quality. Although I did not conduct any scientific tests and cannot conclude whether the water is contaminated, its close proximity to heavy industries highlights the need for regular monitoring and transparent environmental assessments.

Perhaps the most difficult part of the visit was speaking with the people who live there every day. Many residents accepted that industries provide employment and support the local economy. Yet almost every conversation eventually returned to the same concern ,the quality of the air they breathe and its possible impact on their families. Their worries reflected a community trying to balance livelihood with health, hoping that economic progress does not come at the cost of a safe environment.

Leaving Byrnihat, I carried back more than photographs and interview notes. I left with the memory of smoke rising against the backdrop of green hills, the persistent chemical smell in the air, and the voices of residents who simply want cleaner surroundings for themselves and their children. Byrnihat’s ranking as the world’s most polluted urban area is more than a statistic ,it is a reminder that development and environmental responsibility must go hand in hand

Voices from Byrnihat

The concerns expressed by residents paint a picture of uncertainty and frustration. While many depend directly or indirectly on industries for their livelihoods, they also worry about the impact of pollution on their health.

One resident, who has been living in the area for nearly a decade after moving from Assam, said that respiratory illnesses have become common in the locality.

“People here often suffer from coughs and fever. Some even develop more serious health problems. Whenever someone falls sick, we have to visit the hospital and buy medicines,” the resident said.

Speaking about daily life, the resident explained that many families depend on both farming and industrial employment.

“Some people work in industries while others still depend on farming. But when pollution spreads everywhere, it affects everyone,” the resident added.

Another resident said pollution was not discussed as much in the past but has become a growing concern in recent years.

“Earlier we didn’t think much about it, but now people talk about the pollution almost every day. We feel the air has changed, and health problems seem to be increasing,” the resident said.

Despite their concerns, residents were careful not to blame a single industry. Instead, many called for stricter monitoring and greater transparency from both industries and government agencies.

“Industries give people employment, and we don’t want them to shut down. But pollution should be controlled, and the government should regularly check whether factories are following the rules,” another resident said.

Industrial operators, however, maintain that their facilities are functioning within environmental norms. Companies, including the ethanol plant that has become the centre of recent public attention, state that the visible white plumes seen above factory chimneys are largely water vapour, produced during normal industrial operations rather than harmful smoke. They further maintain that pollution-control systems are operating effectively.

State pollution control authorities have also stated that inspections indicate emissions remain within legally prescribed limits. According to regulators, industries operating in the area are monitored regularly and are required to comply with environmental standards. However, many environmental experts believe that making real-time emission data publicly accessible would help build public confidence and address growing concerns.

The issue is further complicated by Byrnihat’s location on the Assam–Meghalaya border. Since industries operate across two states, tracking pollution sources and regulating highly polluting red-category industries becomes a shared administrative responsibility. Experts believe stronger coordination between Assam and Meghalaya is essential for effective monitoring and enforcement.

Environmentalists also caution against focusing solely on the ethanol plant. Although it has become the latest flashpoint, Byrnihat has experienced heavy industrial pollution for decades. Cement factories, steel units, distilleries, ferro-alloy plants and other industries have operated in the region for years. Experts argue that the town’s poor air quality is likely the cumulative result of long-term industrial activity, growing vehicular emissions and expanding urbanisation rather than any single factory.

Byrnihat’s story reflects a larger challenge facing India as it pursues industrial growth alongside environmental sustainability. Cleaner fuels such as ethanol are important for reducing carbon emissions, but sustainable development also requires cleaner production methods, transparent monitoring and strict environmental compliance.

For the people of Byrnihat, however, the debate is about something far more immediate  ,the air they breathe every day. Their voices reveal a community that is not opposed to development but wants industries, regulators and governments to work together so that economic progress does not come at the cost of public health. Byrnihat’s global ranking should not remain just another statistic; it should serve as a reminder that development must always be accompanied by environmental responsibility and accountability.

HIYANDRITA DAS, DEPT.ANIMATION AND GRAPHIC DESIGN, IT, GAUHATI  UNIVERSITY

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