Shocking Study: Alarming Vehicle Surge Polluting Shillong’s Air Quality, Endangering Meghalaya’s Pristine Environment – Northeast News
Rising Vehicle Numbers Deteriorate Shillong’s Air Quality: Study
SHILLONG: A recent study by AirVoice, an organization addressing global air quality challenges, has revealed significant deterioration in Shillong’s air quality due to the rising number of vehicles. Conducted between January and June 2024, the study examined air quality across various tourist destinations in India, with a particular focus on Shillong.
While Shillong’s air quality has worsened compared to cities like Gangtok in Sikkim and Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, it remains better than industrial areas such as Baddi in Himachal Pradesh. Often referred to as the ‘Scotland of the East,’ Shillong has long been a haven for those seeking relief from polluted environments.
The official data indicates that the total number of registered vehicles in Shillong reached 566,120 by mid-2024. This year alone, 25,575 vehicles have been registered up to July, though this marks a decline from the 40,383 vehicles registered in 2023. Despite this decline, the numbers still significantly surpass the 25,852 vehicles registered in 2021. The increase in vehicle registrations saw a 13.23 percent jump in 2021 and an even steeper 37.96 percent rise in 2022.
Based on data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the study found that Shillong exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standards on 20% of monitored days, far surpassing the allowable threshold of 2% for incident days. This places Shillong behind Goa (9%) and Gangtok (0%) but ahead of Baddi (88%) and New Delhi (87%).
Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) are identified as the primary pollutants in Shillong, frequently exceeding recommended levels. In June 2024, Shillong recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 34, indicating relatively moderate air quality—a significant contrast to New Delhi’s AQI of 108 but worse than Gangtok’s AQI of 14.
This study highlights the urgent need for effective measures to curb air pollution and manage vehicle growth in Shillong to preserve its air quality and appeal as a tourist destination.
Original Story https://nenews.in/meghalaya/meghalaya-vehicle-surge-polluting-air-quality-in-shillong-claims-study/12464/
Category : Meghalaya,Air pollution,Shillong
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