New Delhi, March 12 -- Air pollution remains a major concern across Indian cities, with significant variations in air quality levels between large metropolitan areas and smaller cities. A new and alarming trend has emerged-smaller cities, once considered relatively cleaner, are now experiencing dangerously high pollution levels.

Byrnihat, a small industrial town on the Assam-Meghalaya border, has emerged as India's new pollution hotspot, surpassing even Delhi in annual PM2.5 levels. According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Byrnihat recorded an alarming 133.4 microgram per cubic metre (g/m), exceeding the national standard by a staggering 3.3 times. This marks a significant shift in India's air pollution crisis, as smalle...