Hyderabad has witnessed a notable 20% decrease in PM10 levels over the past four years, with concentrations falling from 110 µg/m³ in 2019 to 81 µg/m³ in 2023. Despite this reduction, the city’s air quality remains a significant concern, failing to meet the ‘safe’ benchmarks established by environmental authorities. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) sets a threshold of 60 µg/m³ for PM10, which Hyderabad continues to exceed. Furthermore, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) stringent limit of 15 µg/m³ is even further out of reach.
A recent Greenpeace report highlights that Hyderabad’s PM10 levels in 2023 fluctuated between 80 µg/m³ and 100 µg/m³. This persistent pollution places Hyderabad among the top cities in South India for PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations, trailing only Visakhapatnam and Mangaluru in these metrics.
The Greenpeace report underscores that Hyderabad’s PM2.5 levels are seven to eight times higher than the WHO’s annual guidelines, while PM10 levels are four to five times over the recommended limits. The city’s air quality frequently breaches the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), particularly from January to April and again from November to December. The impact on public health is stark. From 2008 to 2020, Hyderabad experienced an average of 5,552 deaths annually attributed to air pollution. In 2023 alone, air pollution contributed to 1,597 fatalities, positioning Hyderabad as the sixth deadliest Indian city for air pollution-related deaths, behind Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
Experts criticise the current clean air initiatives, such as the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), arguing that their guidelines are insufficiently rigorous. They point to urban planning flaws, such as end-to-end paving which exacerbates flooding and impedes groundwater recharge, and mechanical sweeping methods that leave carbon footprints. Additionally, experts advocate for stricter monitoring of industrial emissions, enhanced waste treatment processes, and improved recycling systems. They also suggest practical measures like dust control at construction sites and enforcing laws more rigorously to mitigate climate change impacts.
