If MLAs and MLCs Cannot Protect Their Own Lungs, How Will They Protect the Public
Hyderabad’s air quality has sharply declined with AQI levels nearing 190, placing the Assembly zone at risk, while experts urge urgent protection of Public Gardens to prevent a worsening urban pollution crisis.
Hyderabad has emerged as the second most polluted city in India, with Air Quality Index levels touching 180 to 190. For a city that once balanced development with greenery, this rise in pollution is a serious warning sign. What makes the situation more alarming is that the pollution hotspot lies very close to the Telangana Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council.
The issue is simple and unavoidable. If elected representatives themselves cannot safeguard their own health while working in such polluted surroundings, how can they effectively design policies to protect the public. MLAs and MLCs breathe the same air, walk the same streets, and function daily in these choking conditions. Ignoring this reality reflects negligence rather than governance.
At the center of this environmental concern is Public Gardens in Nampally, a 175 year old historic park spread across nearly 35 acres. Often referred to as the lungs of Hyderabad, the park acts as a natural oxygen source for the city. It is surrounded by densely populated neighborhoods including Himayatnagar, Basheerbagh, King Koti, Abids, Begum Bazar, Goshamahal, Aghapura, Nampally, and Lakdikapul.
Instead of strengthening and protecting this green space, authorities have largely neglected its potential. Environmentalists warn that without urgent action, Hyderabad risks heading down the same path as Delhi, where worsening air pollution has become a daily health crisis. The solution, they argue, already exists in the form of preserving and expanding green cover.
Although most urban parks fall under the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Public Gardens continues to remain under the Horticulture Department. This administrative gap has raised concerns about effective management and accountability. Experts suggest bringing the park under GHMC to ensure better urban environmental planning and protection.
Environment activist Mohammed Abid Ali stresses that Public Gardens should function as an urban oxygen hub. He says the government faces a clear choice: build a green and breathable Hyderabad like Bengaluru or allow the city to slowly turn into another pollution heavy Delhi.
