Hyderabad's Air Quality Declining, Urgent Action Needed
In recent years, the air quality in Hyderabad has been getting worse. It now fluctuates between “moderate” and “poor” categories. Experts warn that if immediate steps are not taken, the city could face air pollution levels similar to Delhi. In Delhi, the Air Quality Index (AQI) is 65 times higher than what is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Currently, Hyderabad’s AQI is 12.9 times more than the WHO’s suggested yearly limit.
AQI is not just about harmful gases like carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide; these gases can get absorbed by water droplets, making air quality worse, especially during this time of year.
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Current AQI Levels in Hyderabad
The AQI index measures air quality on a scale: 0-50 is good, 51-100 is moderate, and 101-150 is considered unhealthy. On Sunday, real-time data showed the AQI near the Hyderabad US Consulate was at 159, Sanathnagar at 134, and ICRISAT-Patancheru at 131. In areas like Bollaram Industrial Area and IDA Jeedimetla, the air quality was also unsatisfactory.
Officials point out that one of the main reasons for the poor air quality is congested roads, which lead to an accumulation of dust. Vehicle emissions, especially from diesel vehicles, are responsible for around 30% of the city’s particulate pollution.
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Road Dust and Garbage Burning Add to the Problem
Experts say that road dust is another significant contributor to air pollution, responsible for 30-45% of particulate pollution. While stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana causes pollution in Delhi, in Hyderabad, the burning of garbage in residential areas and landfills is a major cause of poor air quality.
A study by Hans India revealed that residents of Mansoorabad and its surrounding areas are dealing with severe air pollution due to constant garbage burning and industrial chemical emissions.
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Residents Raise Concerns
Local residents in areas like Mansoorabad, Auto Nagar, and nearby localities report that trash is burned regularly, especially at night. The smoke is thick and visible, even in the dark, and toxic chemicals from nearby industries worsen the situation. This leads to breathing problems for many people. Despite multiple complaints, neither the Pollution Control Board nor the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has taken any action. As a result, the AQI in Mansoorabad has reached an unhealthy level of 156.
Garbage collection is also not done properly. Construction debris and waste from street vendors are often left in public spaces, further worsening the air quality. Residents believe that local associations, NGOs, and government officials should work together to educate people about proper waste disposal and take more coordinated action to improve the city’s cleanliness. Experts say slogans alone won’t solve the problem.
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Call for an Environment Protection Authority
Environmentalists, like Prof. Purushotham Reddy, stress the need for an Environment Protection Authority in India, similar to what exists in several European countries and the US. He pointed out that after the Bhopal gas tragedy in 1984, the Indian government introduced the Environment Protection Act in 1986, but failed to create an authority to enforce it. According to Reddy, if such an authority is established, it could effectively monitor and manage pollution levels. He also mentioned that State Pollution Control Boards have not been successful in addressing the issue.
