APPCB organizes Green Walkathon, workshop on air quality in Visakhapatnam

APPCB Chairman P. Krishnaiah, VPA Chairman Jasmeet Singh Bindra, GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg and VPA Vice Chairman Roshni Aparanji flag outside the Green Walkathon organized along Beach Road in Visakhapatnam on Monday. | Photo credit: BY ARRANGEMENT

The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB), in coordination with the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), organized a Green Walkathon along Beach Road on Monday as part of ‘Swachh Vayu Diwas – Clean Air for Blue Skies’.

APPCB Chairman P. Krishnaiah said industrial growth should accompany the expansion of green cover to create jobs while addressing environmental issues. He said the APPCB spends about ₹ 3 crore annually on air quality monitoring equipment across the state.

The walkathon which started at the Kali Mata Temple was flagged off by Mr. Krishnaiah, Visakhapatnam Port Authority Chairman Jasmeet Singh Bindra, GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg and VPA Vice-Chairman Roshni Aparanji. Officials, industry representatives, environmentalists, voluntary organizations and the public participated.

At a meeting held later, Mr. Krishnaiah called for coordination between ministries, the port, local bodies, industry and citizens to improve air quality. He also emphasized the involvement of young people in awareness campaigns.

Mr. Bindra said plantation activities are being carried out in the port area and measures such as covering trucks with tarpaulins and mechanized water sprinkling are being used to control dust emissions. APSRTC Regional Manager B. Appala Naidu said the corporation is increasing the number of electric buses.

Chairman APPCB inaugurated the Continuous Air Quality Monitoring (CAAQM) station at Harbor Park. The council said three more such stations are coming up in Visakhapatnam.

The workshop at the GVMC office discussed the sources of pollution, control measures and future action plans. District Collector Abhishikth Kishore and Mr. Garg attended the programme. Mr. Garg said that the GVMC would soon introduce an automated traffic signal system.

Published – 07 Sep 2026 22:44 IST