Dedicated action teams to address air pollution in city: Deputy CM

Launch of a public air quality dashboard, and dedicated action teams in the purview of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) for quick response to air pollution complaints are two initiatives to be taken by the Telangana government in near future, as part of the clean air action plan.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka made these announcements during his address as the chief guest at the conference on ‘Air pollution index (API) and air quality management’ organised by the Planning department in collaboration with the Telangana Pollution Control Board (TGPCB) at Dr. Marri Chenna Reddy Human Resources Development Institute of Telangana here on Thursday.

Addressing an audience consisting of academics, technical experts and environmentalists, he further announced that the government has decided to replace all the diesel based buses in city eventually.

Speaking about the initiatives already taken, he said the number of air quality monitoring stations in the State have been doubled and a clean air action plan is under active implementation. He asserted that development and environment protection need to go hand in hand.

Hyderabad is one of the fastest growing cities in the world and is not yet as highly polluted as Delhi due to decades of responsible governance and institution building, he said.

“Our government has set a target of three trillion economy, but is also focusing on conservation of natural resources, protection of water bodies, and improvement of air quality,” Mr. Bhatti Vikramarka said, while explaining the government’s initiatives to reduce air pollution such as promoting electric vehicles and industrial regulation to reduce fossil fuel burning, and bolstering renewable energy sector.

He emphasised that development without clean air is not real progress, but merely delayed damage. Air quality is not just an indicator of environment, but also of public health, productivity and economy.

Speaking about the need to shift industries outside the city, Mr. Bhatti Vikramarka said the industries once set up on the outskirts are now located amid residential growth.

Industrial accidents in residential areas can turn into major disasters. Hence, industrial restructuring, zoning reforms, and improved land-use planning must be examined seriously, said Mr. Bhatti Vikramarka.