Archive · 13 Jun 2025
Hyderabad's Air Quality Suffers Due to Construction Waste
Hyderabad is dealing with a lot of construction and demolition waste, causing air pollution.
There's more waste than the recycling plants can handle.
This leads to dust that makes it hard to breathe, especially for kids and those with asthma.
The government plans to improve the situation by making sure waste is sorted properly, tracking trucks, and setting collection goals.
However, illegal dumping and a lack of control over waste transport are big problems.
Hyderabad generates approximately 2,255 metric tonnes of construction and demolition (C&D) waste daily, with nearly 1,763 MT from the Greater Hyderabad area.
Four recycling plants process up to 2,000 tonnes daily, leaving a surplus of about 255 tonnes of unprocessed waste.
Unprocessed C&D waste causes dust pollution, exacerbating breathing difficulties, especially for vulnerable groups.
The Telangana government plans to mandate waste segregation, use GPS tracking, and set waste collection targets.
Challenges include illegal dumping, unregulated private waste transport, and inadequate enforcement.
- Who
- The Telangana government, GHMC officials, environmentalists, pulmonologists, and the general public.
- What
- Hyderabad is facing air pollution due to excessive, unprocessed construction and demolition waste.
- When
- The issue is ongoing with plans for improvement.
- Where
- Hyderabad, Telangana
- Why
- Due to inadequate waste management and infrastructure.
Government/GHMC
Environmentalists/Public Health Advocates
Priorities in Urban Development
Government/GHMC
Emphasis on developing infrastructure and building of new buildings, with existing waste management plans and future improvements such as GPS tracking of trucks.
Environmentalists/Public Health Advocates
Highlighting the health and environmental damage from excess C&D waste, criticizing lack of foresight, improper planning in urban development and insufficient enforcement of regulations, suggesting a deeper examination of the root problems, which go beyond a narrow focus on shining lights and skyscrapers.
- Daily C&D Waste Generation
- Approximately 2,255 metric tonnes
- Waste from Greater Hyderabad
- Approx. 1,763 metric tonnes daily
- Recycling Plant Capacity
- Up to 2,000 tonnes daily
- Unprocessed Waste
- Approximately 255 tonnes daily
- Key Health Concern
- Dust pollution causing respiratory problems
