HYDERABAD, JANUARY 29, 2026: A Conference on Air Pollution Index (API) and Air Quality Management was organised today by the Planning Department, Government of Telangana, in collaboration with the Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB), at Dasarathi Auditorium Hall, Dr. MCR HRD Institute, Hyderabad. The conference aimed to deliberate on scientific, policy-driven and implementable strategies for improving air quality and ensuring sustainable urban development in the State.
Addressing the conference as Chief Guest, the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Finance, Planning and Energy, Bhatti Vikramarka stated that clean air is a critical component of public health, urban governance and sustainable development. He emphasised that for a fast-growing State like Telangana, economic development and environmental responsibility must progress together to ensure inclusive, resilient and long-term growth. He noted that improved air quality enhances productivity, attracts investment and significantly improves the quality of life of citizens.
The Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister outlined the Government of Telangana’s strategic and target-oriented approach towards clean air. These measures include strengthening the air quality monitoring network across the State, effective implementation of the State Action Plan for Clean Air–2025, promotion of cleaner and sustainable transport solutions, regulation of industrial emissions, expansion of renewable energy adoption and enhanced inter-departmental coordination. He stated that technology-driven monitoring, evidence-based policymaking and timely enforcement would be central to achieving measurable improvements in air quality.
He further informed that at present, 12 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) are operational in Hyderabad city under the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits, and these stations report air quality data every day at 4.00 PM. To ensure wider coverage and more accurate reporting, the existing 16 manual ambient air quality monitoring stations will be upgraded in a phased manner into continuous monitoring stations. He stated that this would enable comprehensive city-wide air quality assessment and provide a strong foundation for data-driven decision-making.
Highlighting the future roadmap, the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister assured that the Government would further institutionalise air quality management through action-oriented and technology-enabled interventions. He stated that pilot action teams would be constituted in select GHMC zones with the participation of all stakeholder departments to ensure time-bound resolution of air pollution-related issues through coordinated field-level response. He also informed that a public-facing digital air quality dashboard would be developed to enhance transparency, encourage citizen participation and support informed decision-making. Based on the outcomes of the pilot initiatives, these measures would be scaled up across urban areas of the State.
The Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister emphasised that achieving clean air requires collective action and called for active participation from citizens, academic institutions, industry, civil society organisations and international partners. He stated that the conference was convened to benefit from national and international expertise and to adapt proven best practices suited to Telangana’s specific context, to ensure that economic growth, innovation and environmental protection advance together.
The conference featured technical sessions by eminent subject matter experts, including Prof. Mukesh Kumar Sharma, IIT Kanpur; Prof. Raj Kiran, Engineering Staff College of India; Ms. Kritika Choudhary, Associate Director, APAG; Prof. Suresh Jain, IIT Tirupati; Sumit Sharma, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); and Prof. K. Purushottam Reddy, eminent environmentalist and academician. The experts shared insights on industrial and vehicular emissions, open burning, construction and demolition waste management, scientific air quality management and sustainable policy interventions.
The conference witnessed participation from professors, Vice Chancellors and faculty members from premier academic institutions, including IIT Kanpur, IIIT, University of Hyderabad (HCU) and JNTU, along with senior government officials. Officials present included Jyothi Buddha Prakash, Secretary, Planning Department; Ahmed Nadeem, Principal Secretary, Environment, Forest, Science and Technology Department; Ilambarthi, Transport Commissioner; Nikhil Chakravarthy, Commissioner of Industries; Ravi, Member Secretary, Telangana State Pollution Control Board; Rahul Hegde, Deputy Commissioner of Police; and Raghuprasad, Additional Commissioner (Sanitation), GHMC.
Representatives from UNICEF and other international organisations also participated in the conference and shared global perspectives and best practices related to air quality management, environmental sustainability and public health.
The Planning Department and the Telangana State Pollution Control Board stated that the expert inputs, technical recommendations and policy insights that emerged from the conference would be examined for integration into the State’s planning and implementation framework aimed at improving air quality and promoting sustainable and inclusive urban development.
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