The Assam Pollution Control Board (APCB) has launched a new initiative, the ‘Guwahati Clean Air Plan,’ in collaboration with iForest to combat air quality issues in Guwahati, following the limited success of a prior action plan from 2018. The new strategy was unveiled during the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit and is also developed with input from the Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation. Pollution sources in Guwahati have been identified predominantly as road dust and vehicular emissions, with road dust from construction activities and roads contributing 37% to the estimated annual PM10 emissions of 1,071 tonnes. Industrial emissions contribute 25%, while transport accounts for 21%, and emissions from cooking and heating represent about 12%. For PM2.5 emissions, estimated at 435.3 tonnes per year, road transport is the largest contributor at 52%, followed by road dust (16%) and cooking emissions (16%), among others.
The APCB report indicates significant non-compliance issues with Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) dust management guidelines, citing factors such as lack of green coverings at construction sites, inadequate barricading, and poor coordination among agencies involved in road work. The report advocates for a more stringent enforcement mechanism to ensure compliance, recommending steps ranging from issuing show-cause notices for first offenses to imposing construction bans for repeated violations.
Moreover, the report points out traffic issues contributing to air quality degradation, including the absence of structured parking, excessive on-street parking, the operation of large buses on narrow roads, and poorly designed intersections. It suggests implementing a comprehensive traffic congestion management plan as a response to these challenges. Iron and steel industries also emerged as significant polluters, notably from coal-fired furnaces, despite the existence of pollution control measures. Furthermore, the city’s solid waste management system is reported as ineffective, with only 650 of the 884 tonnes of waste generated daily being collected and processed. Open burning of waste produces substantial emissions of PM10 and PM2.5.
Additionally, natural dust resuspension from the Brahmaputra river has been recognized as a contributing factor to air pollution.
The report emphasizes the need for improved soil stabilization, green cover enhancements along riverbanks, and increased afforestation in barren areas to mitigate dust generation. The release of the plan was attended by various stakeholders, including APCB Chairman Arup Kumar Mishra and iForest CEO Dr. Chandra Bhushan, highlighting a multifaceted approach towards addressing the air quality crisis in Guwahati.