Hyderabad's Air Pollution Worsens: A Call for Urgent Action
Hyderabad is rapidly catching up with Delhi in terms of rising air pollution levels, raising concerns among experts and residents. Many are urging the government and opposition to address the issue before the city faces drastic measures, such as school and office closures, similar to those in the national capital.
Currently, Hyderabad ranks 365th among the most polluted cities in the world. The city’s air pollution levels are 12.9 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended annual air quality guidelines. This alarming statistic highlights the growing environmental crisis.
On Thursday, official data revealed Zoo Park had the highest Air Quality Index (AQI) of 167, followed by ICRISAT, Patancheru, and IDA Pashamylaram, which recorded AQI levels of 157. Areas like Kompally, Gachibowli, Karmanghat, Sanathnagar, and Shamshabad, which previously had satisfactory air quality, are now reporting moderate to poor AQI levels. These areas have experienced a drastic rise in particulate matter (PM) levels, sometimes up to 100 times the recommended limits.
Even high-end residential and commercial areas such as Gachibowli and Kokapet are not spared, with air quality being recorded as poor. Residents in these neighborhoods are reporting health problems, including respiratory issues. Many believe that neither the government nor the opposition is giving adequate attention to this crisis, as political disputes and protests take center stage.
“It’s unfortunate that our elected representatives are more focused on political battles than addressing the issues affecting common citizens,” lamented one local resident.
According to a study conducted by IIT-Kanpur, the primary sources of air pollution in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) area include road dust (32%), vehicle emissions (18%), secondary inorganic aerosols (16%), biomass burning (11%), construction and demolition (C&D) waste (8%), garbage burning (7%), and industrial emissions (5%). Other sources contribute to the remaining 9%.
Dr. Syeda Azeem Unnisa, an air pollution expert and Assistant Professor at Osmania University, explained that winter worsens pollution levels as pollutants tend to accumulate in the air due to slower atmospheric dispersion. She emphasized that the constant addition of new vehicles and industries without proper regulation is aggravating the problem.
“Vehicular pollution needs to be addressed immediately. Additionally, industries are not following rules, and the Pollution Control Board must take stronger action. While they claim to monitor air quality, there is little evidence of concrete measures being implemented to reduce pollution,” she said. Dr. Unnisa also pointed out that industries fail to maintain real-time data on pollution control efforts.
Experts are calling on both the government and opposition to prioritize this issue before it spirals out of control. They stress the need for immediate, collective action to safeguard public health and the environment.
