Guwahati Intensifies Efforts to Combat Air Pollution Ahead of Winter

As winter approaches, Guwahati is ramping up its efforts to combat air pollution. Chief Secretary Dr. Ravi Kota led a review meeting with key departments to enhance control measures. The city is focusing on dust mitigation, clean transportation initiatives, and advanced air quality monitoring. With significant improvements in PM10 levels, Guwahati aims to continue its progress in urban cleanliness and air quality. Discover the comprehensive strategies being implemented to ensure a healthier environment for residents.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 2, 2025, 11:33 IST

Strengthening Air Quality Measures in Guwahati

Guwahati, Dec 2: The Chief Secretary of Assam, Dr. Ravi Kota, led a review meeting involving key departments such as the GMC, APCB, Transport, and PWD to enhance air pollution control strategies in Guwahati as winter approaches, a season known for increased particulate matter.

Studies from the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) pinpoint road dust and construction activities as significant contributors to particulate pollution, alongside emissions from vehicles and industries, as well as open waste burning.

The geographical layout of Guwahati, resembling a bowl, combined with silt carried by winds from the Brahmaputra, exacerbates the trapping of pollutants during the dry months.

In response, the GMC has intensified its dust control efforts, implementing multi-shift water sprinkling and mechanical sweeping with four machines (with plans to acquire four additional units), expediting the removal of desilted and construction debris, and repairing over 375 minor roads and drainage systems.

The PWD is also enforcing dust suppression measures at major flyover construction sites, which include water sprinkling and the installation of air quality monitoring sensors, as stated in a press release.

To promote clean transportation, the state is introducing 100 CNG buses and expanding its electric bus fleet under the Smart City and PM e-Bus Sewa initiatives. Additionally, the GMC has deployed 180 electric vehicles for waste collection, aiming to minimize open burning and emissions.

Older government vehicles are being phased out, and incentives are being offered to encourage private electric vehicle adoption while gradually eliminating diesel buses.

The APCB is actively monitoring air quality through 10 manual and four real-time monitoring stations, with daily updates on the Air Quality Index (AQI) provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). A new memorandum of understanding with iFOREST will facilitate advanced pollution research.

Thanks to targeted measures, Guwahati has seen a reduction in PM10 levels from 119 µg/m³ (2023-24) to 103 µg/m³ (2024-25), allowing the city to improve its ranking from 38th to 21st in the Swachh Vayu Survekshan.

Officials reiterated their commitment to fostering cleaner urban development.