The Andhra Pradesh government has issued a clear directive to accelerate the fight against air pollution in several key urban areas. The state's Air Quality Monitoring Committee (AQMC) has instructed officials in eleven cities to implement stricter measures immediately to improve air quality standards.
Focus on Non-Attainment Cities
Chairing the fifth review meeting of the AQMC in Vijayawada on Monday, chairman Kantilal Dande stated that providing clean air to every citizen is the primary goal of the state government. The meeting, held at the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) headquarters, specifically targeted municipal commissioners of 11 non-attainment urban local bodies. These are cities where prescribed Air Quality Index (AQI) standards are not being met as per the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
Special attention was directed towards Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, Anantapur, Kurnool, and Chittoor, where air quality remains a persistent concern. Dande emphasized the need for accelerated pollution prevention measures in these regions to align with national benchmarks.
Key Directives for Immediate Action
The committee laid out a concrete action plan for the civic officials to follow. A major focus was placed on controlling vehicular pollution. Officials were instructed to ensure strict checking of Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates and take firm action against vehicle owners flouting the rules. Furthermore, permissions for end-of-life vehicles that contribute heavily to pollution are to be cancelled.
To tackle dust pollution—a significant contributor to poor air quality in urban areas—the chairman mandated the continuous use of mechanical road sweeping machines on main city roads. For industrial zones, the directive includes continuous water sprinkling through tankers to prevent dust from becoming airborne.
Building Public Awareness and Participation
Recognizing that public cooperation is crucial, the AQMC chairman urged the commissioners to organize extensive awareness programmes. These initiatives should educate citizens about the severe damage caused by air pollution and highlight the vital role the public plays in its prevention. Creating a collaborative effort between authorities and residents is seen as key to achieving long-term improvements.
The review meeting was attended by senior officials including PCB member secretary Sharavanan, chief environmental engineer M Rajasekhar, joint chief environmental scientist Sriranjani, and board members Nageswara Raju and Dr Panchakarla Sandeep. Their presence underscored the high priority the state administration is placing on this environmental and public health issue.
The directives signal a more aggressive phase in Andhra Pradesh's implementation of the NCAP, moving from planning to stringent on-ground enforcement in the identified non-attainment cities.
