Hyderabad: Data from the Telangana Pollution Control Board (TGPCB) highlights alarming air quality in Hyderabad throughout November, with several areas recording air quality index (AQI) levels considered hazardous.
The data released by TGPCB, which collects data from the city's 14 continuous ambient air quality monitoring system (CAAQMS) stations, tracked air quality, revealing troubling trends leading to respiratory issues under prolonged exposure.
The TGPCB operates stations at Hyderabad Central University, Sanathnagar, Nehru Zoological Park, IDA Pashamylaram, Bolaram Industrial Area, Icrisat Patancheru, ECIL Kapra, Nacharam, New Malakpet, Khairatabad RTA, Kompally, Kokapet, Symphony Park (Ramachandrapuram), and IITH Kandi.
The area recorded the state's highest AQI in November, 368 on November 15, followed by IDA Pashamylaram at 341 on November 23 and 339 the next day.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI between 301 and 400 is classified as "very poor," meaning prolonged exposure could severely impact respiratory health.
Several areas, including the zoo, Pashamylaram, Icrisat, Sanathnagar, Bolaram, and UoH experienced air quality ranging from "moderate" to "very poor" throughout the month. Such conditions pose significant health risks, particularly to vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Adding to the concern, discrepancies were observed between TGPCB’s data and the figures shown on the CPCB's Sameer mobile application. Sameer, which features an AQI Calendar to track monthly AQI levels for each monitoring station, often displayed significantly different values.
While TGPCB reported an AQI of 318 for Pashamylaram on November 26, the Sameer app showed 158. Though some stations had matching AQI figures across both platforms, many showed substantial differences, raising questions about the reliability and consistency of air quality data.
