APPCB Launches Green Walkathon in Vizag for Clean Air, Healthy Living

Visakhapatnam marked “Swachh Vayu Diwas / Clean Air for Blue Skies” with a spirited Green Walkathon along Beach Road, organized by the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) in coordination with the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC). The walk was flagged off at the Kali Mata Temple by APPCB chairman P. Krishnaiah, port authority chairman Jasmeet Singh Bindra, GVMC commissioner Ketan Garg, and VPA vice-chairperson Roshini Aparanji, signaling a united push for cleaner air and healthier urban living.

Driving a Balance Between Growth and Environmental Protection

Emphasizing that regional development must progress hand-in-hand with environmental safeguards, P. Krishnaiah highlighted APPCB’s sustained investment in air quality oversight, noting that the board spends nearly Rs 3 crore annually on air quality monitoring across the state. This commitment underscores a data-driven approach to tackling pollution while enabling responsible industrial expansion.

Cleaner Port Operations and Greener Mobility

Outlining efforts to curb dust and emissions at the port, Jasmeet Singh Bindra detailed measures such as extensive plantation drives, covering transport trucks with tarpaulins, and mechanized water sprinkling to suppress road and cargo-related dust. Complementing these steps, Appala Naidu noted that more electric buses are being introduced to reduce vehicular pollution and advance cleaner public transport options for the city.

Tackling Urban Pollution Sources

APPCB board member Panchakarla Sandeep called on industries to integrate robust emission-control measures as they scale operations, reinforcing the principle that growth and environmental responsibility must go together. GVMC commissioner Ketan Garg identified construction and demolition (C&D) waste as a key contributor to urban air pollution and shared that the city is strengthening systems to ensure its proper collection, processing, and disposal.

Community Engagement and Greening Efforts

Following the walkathon, APPCB officials convened an interaction with stakeholders, facilitating practical, solution-focused discussions on pollution control. Participants exchanged insights on emissions reduction, dust management, and compliance strategies. To reinforce the city’s green cover, plantation activities were carried out along Beach Road and near the port, contributing to long-term air quality improvements and heat mitigation.

Real-Time Air Quality Monitoring Expanded

In a major step for transparent and continuous monitoring, Krishnaiah inaugurated a Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS) at Harbour Park. The station will provide real-time data on key pollutants, including PM10, PM2.5, SO₂, NO₂, CO, and O₃, enabling authorities and stakeholders to track trends, pinpoint hotspots, and implement targeted interventions. He also announced plans for three additional monitoring stations in Visakhapatnam to broaden coverage and enhance the city’s air quality intelligence.

Policy Coordination and Traffic Management

At a subsequent workshop held at the GVMC office, District Collector Abhishek Kishore reaffirmed the administration’s focus on promoting industries while ensuring environmental safeguards remain central to planning and execution. Strengthening urban mobility solutions, GVMC commissioner Ketan Garg announced that automated traffic signaling systems will be introduced to improve traffic flow and help cut vehicular emissions—an important step toward cleaner, more efficient city transport.

Looking Ahead

The Green Walkathon and the initiatives unveiled around it mark a coordinated push by civic authorities, port officials, and industry stakeholders to advance clean air goals for Visakhapatnam. With enhanced monitoring capacity, greener transport options, improved C&D waste management, and targeted dust control measures, the city is moving toward healthier air and more resilient urban growth. Continued community participation and industry compliance will be crucial to sustaining this momentum and ensuring clean skies for all residents.