Amaravati, December 03, 2025: Northern Andhra Pradesh is grappling with a sharp rise in PM10 pollution, with levels surging 20% in Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, and Alluri Sitharama Raju districts during October-November 2025, according to the National Clean Air Programme's latest quarterly data.
The increase, from 75 µg/m³ to 90 µg/m³ in key monitoring stations, stems from stubble burning in adjoining Odisha and Telangana, compounded by vehicular exhaust and construction dust in Vizag's port-adjacent zones. "This seasonal spike threatens respiratory health, especially for children and the elderly," said district health officer Dr. K. Ravi, noting a 15% uptick in clinic visits for asthma and allergies.
The NCAP, launched in 2019 to cut particulate matter by 40% by 2026, has invested Rs 500 crore in the region for green belts and dust suppression, but enforcement lags in industrial pockets like Anakapalli's pharma belt. Alluri Sitharama Raju, with its tribal hamlets, sees remote air quality stations registering 85 µg/m³, exacerbated by biomass cooking. Officials plan intensified campaigns for crop residue management and EV incentives, targeting a 10% drop by March 2026.
