Improve Air Quality Index in the Visakhapatnam City

Visakhapatnam -Indian News Times -The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB), in coordination with the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), conducted a consultation workshop on “Clean Air and Blue Skies” in Visakhapatnam on the occasion of Swachh Vayu Diwas. APPCB Chairman Dr. P. Krishniah, Visakhapatnam District Collector Sri Muttamsetti Abhishikth Kishore, IAS, and GVMC Commissioner Sri Ketan Garg, IAS participated in the programme.

Representatives of government departments, industries, NGOs, academicians and citizens deliberated on the major sources of air pollution and measures to improve the city’s Air Quality Index. Participants stressed the need to control industrial and vehicular emissions of SO₂, NOx, CO, PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀, while protecting natural resources and strengthening coordinated air-quality management.

Dr. K. Manikya Kumari, environmentalist and academician, emphasised the urgent need to protect Visakhapatnam’s hill vegetation and green cover. She pointed out that the city’s hillocks are increasingly losing vegetation in the name of development and urged industries and project proponents to establish adequate green belts and buffer zones wherever vegetation is removed. She described forests and urban greenery as natural carbon sinks that help absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide and support a healthier environment.

Drawing attention to pollution hotspots, she stated that Convent Junction and Gnanapuram are particularly affected by heavy traffic, port-related activities and industrial operations. She suggested that port authorities adopt closed-system handling for loading, unloading and conveyor-belt operations to minimise dust emissions and improve air quality.

Participants also expressed concerns over the environmental impacts of large-scale infrastructure and data-centre projects and called for proper environmental assessment and pollution-control measures. The authorities recorded the suggestions and assured stakeholders that appropriate measures would be considered to improve air quality in Visakhapatnam.