Cab Operators in Assam Continue Blockade of Meghalaya Vehicles on Guwahati-Shillong Road Cab operators in Assam extended their blockade of Meghalaya-registered vehicles on the Guwahati-Shillong road for the second consecutive day on August 21, 2026, following attacks on Assam-registered vehicles during a Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) rally in Shillong on August 19. The road, a critical link between the two northeastern states, has been disrupted at key entry points, causing significant delays for passengers and goods movement. Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, lies approximately 95 kilometers from Guwahati, Assam’s commercial and transportation hub. The Guwahati-Shillong road serves as a lifeline for half of Meghalaya’s population, connecting it to regions like Barak Valley in Assam and parts of Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura. The blockade at Jorabat and Khanapara, major entry points to Shillong, has intensified tensions despite appeals from the Chief Ministers of both states for peace and restraint. Assam State Drivers’ Association members demanded punitive action against those responsible for the August 19 attacks, which targeted Assam-registered vehicles during the KSU rally. They also called for compensation for damages and assurances that such incidents would not recur. The blockade has effectively barred all Meghalaya-registered vehicles from entering Assam, except for emergency services like ambulances and vehicles carrying paramilitary or Central government officials. Similarly, Meghalaya taxi operators have prevented Assam-registered vehicles from entering their state at Byrnihat, a key border point. A legislator from southern Assam’s Barak Valley was among those turned back.#ri_bhoi_district #byrnihat #khasi_students_union #guwahati_shillong_road #assam_state_drivers_association
India's Loni Named World's Most Polluted City Loni, a city in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, has been named the most polluted city globally in 2025, according to a report by the Swiss air quality monitoring firm IQAir. The city recorded an average PM2.5 pollution level of 112.5 micrograms per cubic meter, surpassing other major urban centers. The report highlights the severe air quality challenges faced by Loni, which is part of a broader trend of pollution in Indian cities. The findings place Loni among the top four most polluted cities worldwide, alongside three other Indian cities, including New Delhi. This ranking underscores the urgent need for improved environmental policies and stricter enforcement of pollution control measures. The report also notes that PM2.5 levels in these cities remain significantly higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended limits, posing serious health risks to residents. The pollution crisis in Loni is attributed to a combination of factors, including industrial emissions, vehicular exhaust, and seasonal agricultural burning in surrounding regions. The city’s location in a densely populated area exacerbates the problem, as pollutants accumulate and spread across the region. Experts warn that prolonged exposure to such high levels of particulate matter can lead to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues, and other health complications. The IQAir report also highlights the broader context of air pollution in India, where several cities consistently rank among the world’s most polluted. While some cities have made progress in reducing emissions through policy interventions, others continue to struggle with outdated infrastructure and limited enforcement of environmental regulations.#uttar_pradesh #new_delhi #iqair #loni #byrnihat
