Hyderabad: Dealing a public interest plea, the Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday sought explanation from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) authorities on their action plan and measures being taken to develop lung spaces in the city to avoid Delhi-like pollution in city.

Senior counsel S Niranjan Reddy sought explanation from the authorities pressing on Delhi's pollution which has turned hazardous from the denizens.

Petitioner K. Pratap Reddy of Hyderabad highlighted government's apathy in developing lung spaces apart from the existing KBR park and Kothaguda park which were developed decades back.

In the twin-cities people are grappling with pollution and the dust storm has only added to their woes. Hospitals have reported 30 percent increase in dust allergies, breathlessness, cough and sudden sneezing

The petitioner further said that the few existence parks in the city are also being encroached upon to turn into commercial hubs. "They only think of pharma parks and software parks but not about green parks," he added.

Meanwhile, in the twin-cities people are grappling with pollution and the dust storm has only added to their woes. Hospitals have reported 30 percent increase in dust allergies, breathlessness, cough and sudden sneezing.

Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) researchers said that city air is also contaminated by high levels of barium, copper, chromium, lead, nickel and zinc.

“We are now getting more cases of lung related problems. Cases of breathlessness, cough and asthma have increased in recent times. If no measures are taken Hyderabad will become another Delhi,” said Dr Prasanna Kumar Reddy, lung specialist at Apollo Hospitals.