Winter pollution crisis in megacities of India: Going beyond Delhi Hyderabad

March 18, 2025

The winter air quality trend in Hyderabad has remained relatively stable over the past four years, with the seasonal average PM2.5 level dropping to 52 µg/m³ this winter (October 2024 – January 2025), marking a 5 per cent decline compared to the previous three winters. This assessment, based on data from six of Hyderabad’s oldest monitoring stations, highlights the gradual improvement in air quality but also underscores the continued seasonal impact of pollution.

locations. The highest daily PM2.5 level this winter was recorded at 89 µg/m³, with localized spikes at Sanathnagar, where pollution surged to 182 µg/m³. Meanwhile, Ramachandrapuram recorded the cleanest air with a winter average of 25 µg/m³.