HYDERABAD: Ever since the APSRTC staff went on strike from September 19, pollution levels have gone up in some prominent areas in the city, according to the AP Pollution Control Board.APPCB officials attribute the spike in pollution to the increased usage of personal vehicles.This phenomenon was observed in areas where people depend heavily on public transport and had to take out their personal vehicles due to the ongoing strike.“Those, who normally travel in buses, are now using their own vehicles leading to the increase in pollution levels,” said Prasanna Kumar of the APPCB.As per the air quality data report of the APPCB, the total particulate matter in areas such as Jeedimetla, Charminar and Punjagutta has gone up after the RTC strike began in city.According to the report, between September 11 and 16, the total particulate matter in air (calculated as microgram per meter cube or 1 in 10 lakhs) was 163 in Charminar, 250 in Jeedimetla, 146 in Jubilee Hills and 254 in Punjagutta.The pollution level in the week between September 19 and 25, when the RTC strike was in progress, has gone up to 224 in Charminar, 316 in Jeedimetla, 173 in Jubilee Hills and 287 in Punjagutta.However, contradicitng the APPCB, Veda Kumar M, president of the Forum for Better Hyderabad, pointed out that RTC buses are very old and cause pollution. “People are using personal vehicles, but they cannot match the pollution caused by buses,” he said.
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