Hyderabad's Air Quality Crisis: Urgent Action Needed to Combat Pollution
Hyderabad faces a significant decline in air quality, with recent AQI levels reaching unhealthy levels.
Right now, Hyderabad's air quality is 12.9 times above these guidelines.
Hyderabad's air quality has dropped significantly in recent years.The air quality often falls into moderate and poor categories.
It is time for the local government to take action. If not, Hyderabad may become like Delhi, where air quality is 65 times worse than WHO guidelines.
Right now, Hyderabad's air quality is 12.9 times above these guidelines.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) measures different pollutants. An AQI of 0-50 is good.
An AQI of 51-100 is moderate. An AQI of 101-150 is unhealthy.
Recent data shows the AQI near the U.S. Consulate in Hyderabad is 159. In Sanathnagar, it is 134.
In ICRISAT-Patancheru, it is 131. The Bollaram Industrial Area and IDA Jeedimetla also have poor air quality.
Officials blame congested roads for dust buildup. Vehicle emissions account for about 30% of pollution. Diesel vehicles are especially problematic.
Burning garbage and smoke from landfills worsen air quality in Hyderabad.
While stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana affects Delhi, garbage burning is a major issue in Hyderabad.
Residents of Mansoorabad face serious air quality problems. They deal with constant garbage burning and industrial pollution.
The smoke from burning trash is thick and can be seen at night. This situation causes breathing issues.
Despite many complaints, the pollution control board and the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) have not taken action. The air quality in Mansoorabad is currently 156, which is unhealthy.
Garbage collection is poorly managed. Construction debris also adds to the pollution. Local communities, NGOs, and government officials need to work together.
They should educate the public on responsible waste disposal. Simply using slogans won’t fix the problem.
Environmentalist Prof. Purushotham Reddy emphasizes the need for an Environmental Protection Authority in India.
his would be similar to those in Europe and the U.S. After the Bhopal gas disaster in 1984, the Central government created the Environment Protection Act in 1986.
However, they never established an authority to enforce it. Prof. Reddy believes that such an authority could effectively monitor air quality. State pollution control boards have failed to do this.
