Hyderabad, once praised for pleasant weather, now struggles with rising pollution. Experts warn that the city is on track to become the next Delhi. When compared to the last four years, air quality has declined sharply and the numbers reflect a worrying shift.
The Pollution Board noted that out of 337 monitored days, pollution levels dipped to dangerous levels on 110 days. Experts link a rise in respiratory deaths to this spike in pollution. Hyderabad is now almost as polluted as Delhi, driven by vehicle emissions, factory smoke and rapid urban expansion.
WHO states that pollution remains safe when the AQI is between 0 and 50. It stays acceptable between 51 and 100. A range of 100 to 150 puts children and the elderly at risk, and 150 to 200 affects everyone. Hyderabad has crossed these risk brackets multiple times this year.
In 337 days, air remained safe for 203 days and alarming on 23. The city recorded an AQI of 185 this year. On December 3, the Financial District touched 253. Ameenpur stood at 201, while Somajiguda, Bollaram, Banjara Hills, Sanathnagar, Pasamylaram and Ramachandrapuram ranged between 170 and 189.
Experts list construction dust, vehicle fumes, burning waste and outdated vehicles as major reasons for poor air. Large-scale construction work – digging, demolition and cement operations – pushes pollution further. Dust and loose soil on roads make it worse. Vehicular load has grown enormously in a decade, and shrinking forest cover around the city intensifies the impact, say experts.
