Hyderabad, the third worst in winter pollution, says CSE study

Hyderabad ranks third in winter pollution among mega cities, showing improvement but still facing significant challenges.

Hyderabad has been the third most polluted mega city among the country’s six during the winter months of 2024-25. It stands behind Delhi and Kolkata, despite being in an advantageous position - climate and ventilation wise, reveals a study carried out by the Centre for Science and Environment, Delhi.

While the winter average PM2.5 (particulate matter equal to/thinner than 2.5 microns) level stood at 175 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) for Delhi, the same for Kolkata was 65 µg/m³, and Hyderabad, 52 µg/m³. Chennai recorded the lowest average at 36 µg/m³, while Bengaluru, for all its traffic issues, had the next lowest at 37 µg/m³.

The study obtained real time data from 115 continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations spread across the six cities - Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad - of which 14 were from the city. The study period was from October 1, 2024 to January 31, 2025.

The Industrial Development Area of Pashamylaram was the most polluted location among all in the three south Indian mega cities, with a seasonal average of 62 µg/m³. It is followed by RVCE, Bengaluru, at 56 µg/m³, and Alandur in Chennai at 47 µg/m³ - both of which are the most polluted locations in the respective cities.

On the brighter side, Hyderabad is one among the four mega cities other than Delhi and Chennai, which have recorded winter averages comparatively lower than the average of the past three winters. Hyderabad has also recorded the highest improvement in average peak levels, with a 51% drop in PM2.5 levels, down to 89 µg/m³ from 183 µg/m³ last year.

These figures, however, do not indicate any amelioration in the conditions, as there are considerable variations within the city, marked by numerous locations with higher than average pollution levels, says the study by executive director, Research and Advocacy, Anumita Roychowdhury and programme officer with the Urban Lab at CSE, Sharanjeet Kaur.

While the city has recorded the lowest winter pollution in four years, in most locations, the PM2.5 levels were two to 39% higher than the annual averages, which showed strong seasonal build-up.