Visakhapatnam’s Air Quality Index Hits 350, Surpassing Delhi

Visakhapatnam is experiencing a significant decline in air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching a concerning level of 350 on Friday. This figure surpasses that of Delhi, often cited as the most polluted city, which recorded an AQI of 316 at the same time. As the city embraces rapid industrialisation, including the establishment of numerous data centres and IT companies, the environmental impact is becoming increasingly apparent.

The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) attributes the high AQI reading to a limited monitoring network. Currently, there is only one continuous ambient air quality monitoring station for the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), which only covers a radius of one kilometre. Mukunda Rao, the joint chief engineer of the PCB, indicated that the index does not accurately reflect the overall air quality across Visakhapatnam. “The index can be far less,” he stated in an interview with Deccan Chronicle.

Geographic Challenges Contributing to Poor Air Quality

Rao explained that the city’s geographical location, surrounded by hills, restricts the dispersion of pollutants. He noted that during winter, air quality tends to deteriorate due to the condensation of fine particulate matter and low atmospheric dispersion. “The city is geographically located in a bowl-shaped area, leading to low dispersion of pollutants,” he said. Additionally, the proximity to the Visakhapatnam Port Trust and various industrial sites exacerbates the situation.

While the APPCB has installed manual monitoring stations at nine different locations throughout the city, these stations report lower dust concentrations compared to the continuous ambient air quality monitoring station. The AQI calculations primarily rely on data from the continuous station, which may not represent the entire city’s air quality. As a result, these inflated AQI values may mislead the public regarding the actual environmental conditions.

Seasonal Variations and Systemic Issues

The typical AQI for Visakhapatnam ranges between 80 and 200 from March to October, generally classified as satisfactory to moderate. However, as winter approaches, the AQI has sharply increased, reflecting a broader issue. Rao emphasized that the current air quality crisis is not merely a seasonal fluctuation but rather a reflection of systemic failures in environmental management.

V.S. Krishna, a representative from the Human Rights Forum, criticized the government’s approach, stating, “It is a saga of misplaced priorities, years of neglect, prioritising industrial profits over human lives.” He highlighted that the most affected areas are those near industrial emissions and heavy traffic zones. Each winter, thermal inversions and limited rainfall exacerbate the problem by trapping pollutants close to the ground, pushing AQI levels to dangerous heights.

As Visakhapatnam continues its path toward industrial growth, the challenge of maintaining air quality remains a pressing concern for residents and officials alike. Addressing these environmental issues will require a collaborative effort involving government agencies, industry leaders, and community stakeholders to ensure a healthier future for the city’s inhabitants.