Amaravati, November 25, 2025: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu urged Andhra Pradesh officials to devise a comprehensive plan for achieving net-zero pollution by 2047, stressing the urgency of protecting the state's 974-km coastline from industrial runoff and plastic waste.
At a high-level meeting with the environment, urban development, and coastal departments, Naidu called for immediate steps, including stricter effluent norms for industries, expanded mangrove restoration, and incentives for renewable energy to curb emissions from power plants and vehicles. "We must lead the nation in clean air and water," he said, linking the goal to the Swarna Andhra vision for sustainable growth.
The directive comes amid rising concerns over cyclone-vulnerable coastal areas like Vizag, where port activities and manufacturing have spiked pollution levels. Officials are tasked with mapping hotspots and piloting tech solutions, such as AI-monitored waste tracking.
