Hyderabad Records Worst Air Quality Among Southern Metros: PCB Data!

Despite performing better than Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata in overall air quality levels, Hyderabad has emerged as the most polluted metro city in South India, according to data released by the Pollution Control Board (PCB). The statistics were presented during a seminar on Air Pollution Index and Air Quality Management held in Hyderabad on Thursday. Officials stated that although pollution levels have marginally declined compared to previous years, they remain significantly higher than the standards prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

As per WHO guidelines, particulate matter (PM-10) concentration should not exceed 40 micrograms per cubic metre, whereas Hyderabad is recording levels between 82 and 88 µg/m³—more than double the recommended limit. Even when compared with the CPCB standard of 60 µg/m³, the city’s pollution is nearly 35% higher. Data revealed that during January, PM-10 levels ranged from a minimum of 80 µg/m³ to a peak of 105 µg/m³. The PCB also identified seven major pollution hotspots, primarily traffic corridors, including Khairatabad–Koti, Jeedimetla, BHEL–Ameerpet, Nampally–Charminar, Mehdipatnam–Hitech City–Kukatpally, Secunderabad–Sainikpuri, and LB Nagar–Koti. Notably, Hyderabad did not record even a single day of “clean air” AQI throughout the last year.