Since the lockdown was implemented on May 12 to contain the second wave of the Covid-19 epidemic, automobile traffic in Hyderabad has decreased dramatically, and numerous critical pollution indices have also decreased.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) values recorded at several monitoring sites across the city improved, according to the Telangana State Pollution Control Board. The values went from being in the ‘Moderate' range to ‘Satisfactory' and even ‘Good' in a few areas.

The city is breathing easy, according to the AQI values at various National Air Quality Monitoring Program (NAMP) and State Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Program (SAAQM) stations in the city.

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AQI values in the good range were observed at the NAMP stations at Uppal, Jubilee Hills, Paradise, Charminar, and Jeedimetla in May, compared to moderate ranges in April.

Even though the AQI values at Balanagar NAMP station are still at the moderate level, they have dropped by more than 50 points. Jubilee Hills had the best AQI of 58, but Uppal had the biggest change, with a 64-point swing between April and May, when the AQI was 128 in April and 64 in May.

The AQI improved dramatically at all of the SAAQM stations. While some areas, such as Madhapur, Langar House, MGBS, and Nacharam, are still within the acceptable range, all others have moved from acceptable to excellent air quality.

With a value of 35, KBR Park had the best AQI, while it was 57 in April. The most significant change was at the Chikkadpally SAAQM station, which dropped from 93 in April to 50 in May.

It's worth noting that the lower the AQI number, the better the air quality.