Somajiguda’s Air Quality Crisis: AQI Reaches 151 (Unhealthy)
Somajiguda, Hyderabad’s bustling commercial hub, is grappling with hazardous air pollution as the Air Quality Index (AQI) hits 151 – firmly in the “unhealthy” zone per CPCB standards. This poses serious risks for residents, office-goers, and vulnerable groups.
Why AQI 151 Matters: Health Risks Explained
The AQI monitors five key pollutants:
– PM2.5/PM10 (dust/soot)
– NO₂ (vehicle emissions)
– SO₂ (industrial waste)
– CO (burning fuels)
– O₃ (ground-level ozone)
At 151 AQI:
✓ Healthy people may experience throat irritation, coughing
✓ Asthma patients face heightened attack risks
✓ Long-term exposure increases cardiovascular disease likelihood
Top 4 Pollution Sources in Somajiguda
-
Traffic Chaos
500+ peak-hour vehicles emit NO₂/CO daily near Mindspace Junction -
Construction Boom
12 active high-rise projects spewing PM2.5 dust -
Industrial Leakage
Balanagar industrial zone pollutants drifting northeast -
Weather Trapping
Hyderabad’s winter inversion layer trapping smog
Immediate Protection Measures
For residents:
✅ Avoid morning walks (6-9 AM peak pollution)
✅ Install HEPA air purifiers at home/work
✅ Use N99 masks (not surgical) outdoors
For commuters:
🚗 Keep car AC on recirculation mode
🚌 Prefer Metro over autos at Erramanzil station
Government Actions & Gaps
✔️ TSPCB’s 2023 directives:
– Water sprinklers at construction sites
– Odd-Even scheme proposed for private vehicles
⚠️ Missing:
– Real-time pollution source tracking
– Green walls along arterial roads
Citizen Power: 3 Ways to Fight Pollution
- Report violations via TSPCB’s “Sameer App”
- Create mini-gardens with air-purifying plants (areca palms, snake plants)
- Choose electric – Hyderabad has 38 EV charging stations
Future Outlook
With Hyderabad’s PM2.5 levels rising 22% YoY (IQAir 2023), Somajiguda needs emergency measures. Track live AQI via:
– SAFAR-India
– Telangana Pollution Control Board website
NextMinuteNews will continue monitoring this developing situation.
