Parts of Hyderabad's Sanathnagar area are grappling with alarmingly poor air quality, with recent readings frequently showing unhealthy levels. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has been approaching the 200 mark in localities like Tulasi Nagar, Subhash Nagar, SRT Colony, and Czech Colony, causing significant concern among residents.
Data Points to a Persistent Problem
According to monitoring data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and other reliable AQI websites, Sanathnagar now ranks among Hyderabad's most polluted zones. This is notable as the area, once industrial, is currently on par with high-activity industrial hubs like Kompally and Kukatpally. For locals, the decline in air quality, especially during evening hours, has become an unavoidable daily issue.
Residents Identify Multiple Culprits
The community points to a combination of factors driving the pollution. Open burning of garbage and plastic waste is a primary complaint, alongside emissions from vehicles and dust from ongoing construction projects. Small auto repair workshops also contribute to the foul air. The geography of the area exacerbates the problem; narrow, congested lanes trap smoke and dust, creating pockets of intense pollution.
"Smoke from burning waste is visible almost every day and tends to linger in the area for hours, spreading across multiple streets and affecting even homes that are not immediately near the source," said Shyamsundar Reddy, a resident of Subhash Nagar. He described a persistent haze that reduces visibility and makes breathing difficult in the evenings.
The loss of green cover has further diminished the area's ability to cope. M Bhaskar, a private worker, lamented that while the area once had around 70 parks, most have been replaced by concrete structures. "In the Czech Colony, for instance, only one area remains for greenery despite multiple requests to the municipality," he stated.
Calls for Action and Greener Solutions
Frustrated citizens have repeatedly raised complaints about open burning with civic authorities, demanding stricter monitoring and enforcement. Ravi Kumar from SRT Colony highlighted infrastructural deficits, noting a lack of electric vehicle charging stations and the unfortunate placement of public transport hubs near rubbish dumps.
There is a strong consensus on the solution: more green spaces. K Raghu Kumar, another resident, pointed out that open spaces still exist where authorities could develop parks. This, he argues, would directly improve air quality and provide much-needed breathing spaces for families. Echoing the need for targeted intervention, A Ravi Kumar urged authorities to pay special attention to the area's narrow, smoke-trapping lanes, given its history as a major industrial zone.
The situation in Sanathnagar underscores a growing urban environmental challenge, where localized sources of pollution, combined with poor urban planning, are creating persistent health hazards for its inhabitants.
