A large population in Assam is breathing toxic air, with Guwahati topping the charts of the highest polluted cities in the state.The Delhi-based Centre of Science and Environment (CSE) had recently warned that the problem of air pollution is .
Guwahati, Oct. 23 (IANS): A large population in Assam is breathing toxic air, with Guwahati topping the charts of the highest polluted cities in the state. The Delhi-based Centre of Science and Environment (CSE) had recently warned that the problem of air pollution is growing steadily in Assam and also in other northeastern states, posing a threat to the concept of pristine blue skies and clean air in this region. In the National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP), five ‘non-attainment’ cities have been identified in Assam, namely, Guwahati, Nagaon, Silchar, Sivasagar, and Nalbari. The pollutant levels in these cities have exceeded the prescribed air quality standards. Accordingly, the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) has been initiated to develop action plans to bring down the fine particulate matter (like PM10 and PM2.5) by 20-30 per cent within a stipulated timeframe. An emission inventory study has been initiated for Guwahati, wherein the contribution of polluta