HYDERABAD: The reinvention of Charminar as a constituent of the new logo of Telangana may have given the monument a boost in terms of cultural brand value, but it has done little to clean up the foul air which envelops it.

Levels of air pollution in the area this year have peaked, averaging 127 micrograms per cubic metre, pipping residential areas across the city and even heavy traffic zones like Panjagutta.

An analysis of data obtained from the Pollution Control Board (PCB) shows that air pollution in Charminar has breached the acceptable annual limits of 100 micrograms per cubic metre and is only second to industrial areas of Balanagar and Jeedimetla, with 178 micrograms and 128 micrograms per cubic metre respectively. A dubious distinction for any non-industrial area, experts say. In fact, the condition of air has worsened since 2011. According to PCB officials, the levels of Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) have increased from 105 micrograms per cubic metre in 2011 to 127 micrograms per cubic metre this year. The levels dipped to 95 micrograms per cubic metre in 2013 on account of traffic restrictions imposed to facilitate the Charminar Pedestrianisation Project (CPP), which however finds itself stuck in bureaucratic wrangles.

According to PCB senior official W G Prasanna Kumar, the low dispersion of air and lack of green spaces in the area accounts for the spike in levels. "The area is a cluttered concrete jungle which reduces the dispersion possibility and the traffic speed is slower than in many other places. This contributes to the high pollution levels," Kumar said. Visibly polluting vehicles should be checked, and their access restricted to bring down RSPM levels.

Experts pointed out that spike in air pollution could not only cause pulmonary ailments among residents but also pose a threat to the monuments in the area. Worst among the affected is Charminar, the Archaeological Survey of India's mascot, which lost its bid to showcase the monument as a world heritage site on account of a layer of soot eclipsing its splendour and encroachments. The imposing edifice of the Mecca Masjid, now in the custody of the Department of Archaeology and Museums, too had to be re-sanctified by chemical cleaning last year.

"Vehicular pollution and vibration has always endangered monuments. Restricting traffic is the only way to protect them," said ASI superintending archaeologist R Krishnaiah.

Environmentalists said that the rise in RSPM levels are forebodings of disaster unless substantial corrective measures are taken. While Krishnaiah's observations found resonance with them, they pointed out that the cluttered growth had failed to leave space for tree plantation. "Trees which can reduce pollution and temperature are very few here. The new government must chalk out a plan to see what can be done to increase lung spaces in the Old City," he said.