Smoke billows from an industrial unit near Visakhapatnam Airport. The city’s air quality slips from moderate to poor, raising serious environmental concerns.
| Photo Credit: K.R. DEEPAK
District Collector M.N. Harendira Prasad on Saturday (December 20, 2025) directed officials to take immediate measures to control the deteriorating air quality in the city.
He constituted a district-level Air Quality Monitoring Task Force Committee, with himself as the chairman, to monitor the steps being taken. The other members include Environmental Engineer of A.P. Pollution Control Board, Police Commissioner, GVMC chief, Project Director of NHAI, Deputy Transport Commissioner (DTC), RTC Regional Manager, General Manager Industries, Inspector of Factories, District Civil Supplies Officer, APIIC Zonal Manager and others.
Mr. Prasad held a meeting with officials and representatives of industries and later addressed a press conference over the issue on Saturday.
He instructed the GVMC officials to ensure that vehicles used for transporting garbage and waste are fully covered with tarpaulin. He also asked them to ensure garbage is not transported beyond the capacity.
Stating that burning garbage increases air pollution, he asked the authorities to strictly watch and ensure such practises are not implemented. The Collector asked the people to segregate wet and dry waste before handing it over to the sanitation workers.
He also said that green curtains should be installed around construction sites during building activities and cautioned against dumping construction debris on the roadsides. He directed officials to keep a close watch on such vehicles, especially during night hours, and initiate action by seizing the vehicles, apart from slapping fines against the building owners concerned.
Meanwhile, to prevent pollution from industries, the Collector directed officials from the Pollution Control Board, Industries Department and Factories Department to conduct surprise inspections to ensure that coal and other raw material is stored properly.
Coming to the traffic, Mr. Harendhira Prasad asked officials to ensure that all traffic signals function properly and advised motorists to switch off engines if they have to wait for long durations at signals. The Collector instructed officials to ensure pollution checks for old vehicles and asked RTC officials to take precautions to prevent pollution from old buses.
He also directed that watering should be carried out to prevent dust from rising at places where drains have been dug along roadsides and on national highways where soil is present.
To prevent adulteration at petrol bunks, the Collector asked officials from the Civil Supplies Department and Legal Metrology Department to conduct inspections. He also sought daily reports on pollution control activities.
Published – December 20, 2025 08:03 pm IST
