Guwahati Pollution Report Debunked: APCB Stands Firm
Desk Report, March 20, 2024: In a recent uproar over pollution rankings, the Assam Pollution Control Board (APCB) has firmly rejected claims dubbing Guwahati as the world’s second most polluted city. Dr. Shantanu Kumar Dutta, Secretary of APCB, unleashed a fiery rebuttal, denouncing the reports as unfounded and lacking credibility.
The controversy stems from a report by IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology firm, which purportedly ranked Guwahati as the runner-up in pollution levels across Central and South Asia. The report cited Guwahati’s PM2.5 concentration in 2023, reaching a staggering 105.4 micrograms per cubic meter, supposedly surpassing even Delhi’s notorious pollution.
However, APCB swiftly countered these assertions, presenting government data indicating a much milder scenario. According to their records, Guwahati’s air quality index (AQI) averaged around 52 for both 2022 and 2023, a far cry from the alarming figures put forth by IQAir.
Backing their stance with concrete evidence, APCB highlighted data from sophisticated Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) strategically stationed across the city. These stations, endorsed by both the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Indian government, meticulously track air quality round the clock.
Also read: Assam Governor Empowers Police Stations with Enhanced Investigative Powers
Contrary to IQAir’s sensational claims, the data from these stations paint a more reassuring picture. Monthly PM2.5 concentrations averaged at 52.8 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023, with peaks in July at 98.3 micrograms per cubic meter and lows in January at 22.62 micrograms per cubic meter.
APCB wasted no time in alerting both the Government of Assam and the Union Government regarding the misleading nature of the IQAir report. Urging citizens not to succumb to panic, they advised Guwahati residents to continue their daily routines unperturbed by baseless fearmongering.
In the midst of this pollution pandemonium, APCB underscores the importance of relying on credible government data for accurate information. With Guwahati’s reputation on the line, it’s vital for the public to sift through sensationalism and embrace authentic sources when gauging air quality concerns.
