Air quality reports by the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) suggest a sudden spike in the air pollution levels after the works of the Metro Rail began.

Particulate matter (PM 10), which is the unit to measure air pollution levels, was recorded at 78 to 79 mg per cubic metre in the city from 2006-2011. Surprisingly, the PM 10 levels jumped to 87 by the end of 2012 and continued to be the same till 2013. Metro Rail works began in the middle of 2012.

“Movement of vehicles has slowed down at many places in the city due to the construction work. As the vehicles stay on the road for longer period of time, more toxic gases are reeased,” scientific officer at the air laboratory of the APPCB P Veeranna said. Areas like Punjagutta, Charminar and Sultan Bazaar are the worst affected.

Pollution levels in the city have already crossed the standards prescribed by the Centre. According to the national standards of air quality, the average PM 10 must not be more than 60 mg per cubic metre. The present PM 10 level in the city stands at 87 and is likely to go higher.

“Some policies of the state government have helped to keep tabs on the air pollution in the city,” Veeranna said and added that the decision to decrease the amount of sulphur in fuel and pre-mixing oil has prevented the release of hazardous gases like Carbon Monoxide. The scientific officer however feels that these policies will not help to bring down the pollution to normal levels.

Recently, the Delhi government had made it mandatory for commuters to produce the ‘No Pollution Certification’ for refuelling. A similar recommendation was made by the united AP government in 2003 but it has not been implemented anywhere in the state so far. The plan was sent to the Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) after the apex court asked various state governments to prepare an action plan to control air pollution.