Guwahati is topping the charts of the highest polluted cities in Assam with a large population in the city breathing toxic air.
Assam and other northeastern regions are experiencing a steady increase in air pollution, which poses a threat to the idea of clear skies and pure air in this region, according to a recent warning from the Delhi-based Centre of Science and Environment (CSE).
Guwahati, Nagaon, Silchar, Sivasagar, and Nalbari have all been designated as “non-attainment” cities in the National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP). In these cities, pollutant concentrations are above the statutory levels for air quality.
What’s worse is that despite the air quality’s slow decrease, it hasn’t yet garnered public attention.
Professor of Ecology and Environmental Science at Assam University in Silchar, Parthankar Choudhury, stated that it is concerning that the concentration of particulate matter in the air has been increasing over time.
Several construction projects are now underway in and around Guwahati, which may be the cause of the rise in PM10 concentrations.
However, this rise is only momentary in nature since, following the completion of the construction projects, such as a flyover, the vehicle flow will be smooth with less congestion, which would ultimately result in lower pollution levels over time.
The unplanned and open burning of solid waste disposal within the city is the other factor that is having an impact on Guwahati.
People are unaware of the number of harmful chemicals and black carbon released during trash disposal through burning.
According to a state government officer, Guwahati has one of the alarmingly high levels of black carbon pollution in the entire world.
Black carbon has a similar global warming potential to carbon dioxide and has an impact on the climate worldwide.
