Poor AQI levels in Vizag ring ‘unhealthy’ bells

In the wake of the sudden deterioration of air quality in Visakhapatnam city, an emergency review meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) on 19 December, where a call was given for immediate action from the departments concerned and industry stakeholders of the Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli districts.

The Chairman of APPCB, B. Krishnayya, expressed serious concern over the recent deterioration of ambient air quality in the city, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching ‘moderate to poor’ levels. A review of data from Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) and manual monitoring stations revealed high levels of Particulate Matter (PM). The increase in particulate matter levels was attributed to several factors, including vehicular emissions, road dust resuspension, construction and infrastructure works, industrial and port-related activities, handling of bulk materials, and unfavorable meteorological conditions.

A detailed discussion was held on sector-wise pollution sources and identified hotspots. The compliance status of industries and the effectiveness of pollution control measures were reviewed, and the need for coordinated, time-bound actions by all departments concerned was strongly emphasised.

District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad stated that the main reasons for the deterioration of the air quality index in the city were industrial and vehicular emissions, road dust resuspension, road digging for laying underground cables, uncontrolled disposal of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, open burning of waste instead of transporting it to waste-to-energy plants, scattering of waste during transportation, and pollution at major traffic junctions.

As an immediate measure, the District Collector stated that committees would be formed to assess dust concentrations at various pollution sources and identify hotspots.

GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg stated that immediate measures would be taken to control dust pollution at the identified hotspots in the city, and special task force teams would be formed for this purpose.

The APPCB Chairman requested all the departments concerned and industries to take immediate measures to comply with the prescribed air quality standards and improve the ambient air quality in the city.

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This article is written by Senior Journalist Lakkoju Nagesh Babu