Guwahati Clean Air Plan Launched to Curb Urban Air Pollution

In a major move toward building a cleaner and healthier city, the Assam Pollution Control Board (APCB) on Wednesday officially launched the “Guwahati Clean Air Plan,” an ambitious initiative aimed at tackling air pollution across the city.

The project has been developed in partnership with environmental organization iFOREST and is set to implement a range of pollution-control measures, with on-ground activities scheduled to begin citywide from January 2026.

The launch ceremony, held at the GMCH Auditorium, was presided over by APCB Chairman Arup Kumar Mishra and senior officials from iFOREST. The event included detailed discussions on air pollution mitigation strategies, monitoring mechanisms, and sustainable urban environmental management.

Key speakers at the programme included MLA Mrinal Saikia, Bibhab Talukdar, General Secretary of Aaranyak, and Ratna Singh, Member of the local council, who highlighted both the challenges and solutions for pollution control in urban areas. Adding a cultural dimension to the occasion, renowned singers Joi Barua and Jeena Rajkumari performed, reinforcing the importance of community engagement in environmental action.

Understanding Guwahati’s Pollution Challenge

Guwahati has faced chronic air pollution since 2017, with particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅) consistently exceeding national standards. Rapid urbanization, rising private vehicle numbers, construction activity, industrial emissions, and widespread waste burning have steadily deteriorated air quality. Experts note that the city’s bowl-like geography—nestled between the Khasi hills and the Brahmaputra river—traps pollutants, exacerbating seasonal smog.

Chandra Bhushan, CEO of iFOREST, highlighted the economic and health costs of polluted air. “Air pollution costs India between 3 and 5 per cent of GDP by affecting public health and productivity. This plan focuses on meeting existing standards and addressing core sources of pollution,” he said.

APCB Chairman Arup Kumar Mishra said, “Air pollution in Guwahati, once negligible, has now become a major concern. Long dry spells, construction, rising vehicles, and dust resuspension make control extremely challenging. Public cooperation is essential for the success of this technically backed initiative.”

Pollution Hotspots and Major Sources

Ward-level mapping and satellite-based Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) analysis have identified seasonal pollution hotspots. In summer, elevated pollution occurs along riverbanks, construction-heavy wards, and traffic corridors due to road dust. Winter hotspots spread across central and eastern areas, fueled by residential heating, waste burning, commercial cooking, and traffic congestion. Areas such as Fancy Bazar, Ganeshguri, Beltola, Zoo Road, Tiniali, Maligaon, and Lokhra consistently show high pollution levels, while major markets and transport hubs—including Paltan Bazar, Bhangagarh, Uzan Bazar, Six Mile, Azara, and Jalukbari—face persistent particulate pollution.

Open waste burning is a critical contributor, with nearly 61 tonnes of waste burned daily, releasing substantial PM₂.₅ and black carbon. Residential cooking and winter heating, particularly in slums and hill settlements where biomass, charcoal, and kerosene are used, further add to seasonal pollution. Commercial kitchens, diesel generators, and industries such as brick kilns, stone crushers, and cement plants also contribute significantly.

Targeted Interventions and Solutions

The Clean Air Plan proposes phased, hotspot-specific interventions, including:

• Eliminating open waste burning through improved collection, decentralized processing, and strict enforcement.

• Accelerating adoption of clean fuels for households and commercial kitchens, and promoting cleaner winter heating solutions.

• Strengthening transport management with better PUC enforcement, improved road infrastructure, signage, and small electric buses.

• Controlling construction dust, mechanized road cleaning, and post-flood silt management.

• Phasing out polluting industrial technologies and installing continuous emission monitoring systems.

• Expanding low-cost air quality sensors and automated systems to regulate power supply during pollution spikes.

• Conducting community awareness campaigns to improve household waste segregation, currently at only 16%.

Officials emphasized that the plan marks a shift from broad, city-wide strategies to data-driven, targeted interventions in areas where pollution is most severe, with public engagement being a cornerstone of its success.

“The Guwahati Clean Air Plan represents a significant step toward healthier air and sustainable urban living for the city’s residents,” APCB officials said.

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