The Pollution Control Board of Assam (PCBA) has quietly undergone a digital transformation, bringing more than 12,000 industries under its pollution compliance net, all in real-time.
In an exclusive interaction with Business North East (BNE), PCBA Chairman Arup Kumar Misra shared how Assam’s pollution monitoring framework has evolved to match the pace of its industrial growth, particularly in key zones like Amingaon, Tinsukia, and Byrnihat. From just 7,000-8,000 industries three and a half years ago, the state now houses over 12,000, and PCBA is using tech to stay ahead of the curve.
“Earlier, numbers were fewer, and so were the resources. But now, with online consent management systems and robust digital monitoring tools, we are in tandem with the growing number of industries,” said Misra.
Gone are the days of manual filings and inspections. Every industry, from small stone crushers and brick kilns to major oil companies and coal industries, must now submit data through an online system. Additionally, large industries are required to install air and water monitoring systems that transmit real-time data to both the state board in Guwahati and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in Delhi.
Data transmission is mandatory for high-polluting industries categorised under the ‘red’ list. “Human interference is minimal. This improves transparency and reduces compliance evasion,” added Misra.
One of the most critical industrial zones under PCBA’s lens is Byrnihat, which has emerged as a pollution hotspot. “Byrnihat is very much in the news, not for good reasons. We are working with Meghalaya Pollution Control Board to form a joint monitoring committee,” revealed Misra, who further said, “Out of 51 industries in Byrnihat, 13-14 have already shut down. The remaining 39 have been given strong warnings.”
Around eight cement and clinker industries have been identified by the board in Byrnihat, which significantly contribute to air pollution. “We don’t blame just Assam or Meghalaya. It’s the cumulative impact of heavy truck traffic, massive warehouses, and lack of vigilance,” said the official.
To restore environmental balance, PCBA is rolling out a participatory monitoring committee that will include not just officials but local industry representatives. “By the end of April, this committee will be operational,” Misra said.
Funding, surprisingly, is not a bottleneck. PCBA receives financial support through three central schemes: the National Air Monitoring Programme (NAMP), the National Water Monitoring Programme (NWMP), and the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). “Under NCAP, five cities in Assam, Guwahati, Nalbari, Nagaon, Sivasagar, and Silchar receive special funds for air quality management. We monitor over 250 water stations and 75 air stations across the state,” said Misra.
The board also benefits from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds and its own revenue from industrial fee collection. “Money has never been a problem for us, be it monitoring, buying new equipment, or deploying more manpower during festivals or emergencies,” he affirmed.
PCBA currently employs 265 regular staff and 150 project-based personnel operating out of 11 regional offices.
On groundwater use and contamination, particularly in the tea industry, Misra clarified that state pollution boards are not empowered to draft their own regulations. “The rules come from the Central Pollution Control Board and are applicable across all states. We can only adapt them to our geography,” he explained.
However, PCBA has increased vigilance. “Earlier, Assam had rich, shallow aquifers. But now, we see depletion in several regions. Everyone wants to dig deeper even when rivers are flowing nearby,” Misra cautioned.
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For medium and large industries, groundwater use requires clearance from the Central Groundwater Board and the Central Water Commission. “Micro units using 200–300 litres per day are exempt. But anything above 1,000 litres must have clear allocation and permissions,” Misra noted.
Misra’s message to industrialists is clear: vigilance, compliance, and collaboration are key. "Pollution is not just a regulatory issue; it’s a societal concern. We want industries to thrive, but not at the cost of the environment,” said the official, who further highlighted the successful removal of Digboi from the list of critically polluted zones due to effective interventions. He said it gave hope for Byrnihat.
“We are no longer lagging behind. We’re not just policing, we’re enabling sustainable industrialisation,” added Misra. With a data-driven ecosystem, committed leadership and cooperation from industries, Assam’s Pollution Control Board aims for a cleaner, greener industrial future.
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