Metro Rail work adding to air pollution in Hyderabad, says Pollution Control Board

Metro Rail work adding to air pollution in Hyderabad, says Pollution Control Board

HYDERABAD: The ongoing Metro Rail construction is not only causing widespread traffic chaos in the twin cities, but is perhaps responsible for alarming rise in air pollution over the last two years, AP Pollution Control Board (APPCB) scientists said.

Coinciding with the beginning of the metro construction, particulate matter containing toxic metals was 45 % higher than the standard levels set by government of India both during 2012 and 2013, APPCB officials said after analyzing the latest data.

Scientists say these particulate matter contains lead, arsenic and nickel, besides other dust particles, which are harmful and trigger respiratory diseases, cancer and disorders related to the nervous system. Respiratory diseases are shooting up in the city by around 15 per cent annually.

While no specific survey has been carried out to check the extent of damage on the ambient air quality caused by the Metro Rail construction, officials attribute the sudden and drastic increase in the particulate matter during 2012 and 2013 to haphazard Metro works.

"We cannot deny that Metro Rail construction has led to increase in pollution levels," said Ramesh Chandra, senior environmental scientist, APPCB.

As per the national air quality standards, particulate matter 10 (dust particle) should not cross an annual average of 60 ug/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter of air), but APPCB data shows that Hyderabad recorded an all-time high of 87 ug/m3 in 2012 and 2013, when Metro work was in full swing. The 2013 annual average of 87 ug/m3 is 45% and much higher than the standard level, scientists say.

Studies have shown that nearly 50% of the particulate matter is due to vehicular pollution and combustion of fuels.

This, P Veeranna, a scientific officer with the APPCB, says worsened after haphazard Metro Rail works caused more bottlenecks in the city's roads, leading to traffic congestion and in-turn contributing to higher levels of pollution. Bad roads too are further adding to the problem, he added.

"We had asked Metro authorities to take precautions wherever possible," said Veeranna.

But experts say proper norms to minimize environmental damage were not followed by Metro authorities.

"Metro work is supposed to begin after necessary right of way (road width) is created for free flow of traffic, but the work started even before this. Narrow streets were barricaded and works taken up with no alternative plans in place," said professor C Ramachandraiah of the Centre for Economic and Social Sciences, a city-based think tank.

Ramachandraiah, who has closely followed the Metro Rail project, said nobody bothered about vital issues of public health. "What people should expect in the next few years is increasing respiratory problems and overall degeneration of health by the time the project is completed in 2017."

Officials suggest the urgent need for coordination between transport and roads and buildings departments as well as GHMC, HMDA, RTC and PCB to keep a tab on the rising pollution levels.

When contacted, Metro Rail spokesperson Murali Mohan said there was no question of increase in pollution levels because of Metro works. He said the construction activity started in 2011 with all safeguards in place to protect the environment and added that the 72 km corridor would be completed by 2017. Another senior official said he could not comment until he analysed the APPCB data.

Source: TOI