Shillong, Mar 18 (UNI) The Meghalaya government has launched an urgent audit of industrial units in Byrnihat following reports identifying it as the most polluted town globally in IQAir’s World Air Quality Report 2024,

Commissioner and Secretary Forest and Environment Department, Pravin Bakshi said the audit of industrial units in Byrnihat was initiated following Chief Minister Conrad Sangma took stock of the environment situation with officials of Forest and Environment Department and Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB).

The Chief Minister has directed the MSPCB to perform a comprehensive audit and inspection of all industrial units in Byrnihat in Meghalaya side .

“This intensive audit has to be completed by MSPCB in a week's time and report submitted to Forest and Environment Department for further action,” Bakshi said.

In a suo moto statement in the assembly, the Chief Minister had said that a joint action plan with Assam would be formulated to tackle the air pollution crisis in Byrnihat town located on the inter-state boundary.

The World Air Quality Report 2024 released by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir has topped Byrnihat as the world’s most polluted town in India.

He called for a coordinated approach with Assam, noting that most of the heavily polluting “red-category” industries operate on the Assam side of Byrnihat.

The Assam Pollution Control Board has already begun auditing industrial units within its territory.

Meanwhile, Meghalaya has initiated strict measures to monitor and reduce pollution within its jurisdiction.

Sangma has also proposed a collaborative action plan with Assam to address the escalating air quality crisis.

The joint efforts by both state governments underscore a shared commitment to tackling environmental challenges in Byrnihat, ensuring public health protection and encouraging sustainable industrial practices.

UNI RRK BD