Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh – Air quality in Visakhapatnam experienced a significant deterioration during the recent winter months, with particulate matter levels frequently breaching national standards. Data from the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) indicates that on 41 out of 60 days between December 2025 and January 2026, the Air Quality Index (AQI) fell into the ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’ categories. The situation was particularly acute in December 2025, when 25 out of 30 daily AQI readings were classified within these unhealthy ranges, pushing the monthly average AQI to 255, with a peak reading of 347 on December 19.
Information available with The Chenab Times shows that January offered marginal improvement, but still recorded 16 days with ‘poor’ or worse air quality. Over the preceding 13-month period, from September 2025 to September 2026, the AQI exceeded the national benchmark of 100 on 259 of the 382 days for which readings were available. This persistent air pollution highlights a considerable challenge for the port city.
Further analysis of pollution levels across the city revealed consistently elevated particulate matter. All ten monitoring stations in Visakhapatnam exceeded the annual PM10 standard of 60 micrograms per cubic metre during the period of October 2025 to September 2026. Similarly, at five of the seven stations with complete PM2.5 data, the annual averages also surpassed the prescribed standard of 40 micrograms per cubic metre.
According to M. Sree Ranjani, a scientist at the APPCB, Visakhapatnam’s unique bowl-shaped topography contributes to the problem by limiting the dispersion of airborne pollutants. During winter, a phenomenon known as temperature inversion, where cooler air is trapped beneath warmer air near the ground, exacerbates the situation by further trapping pollutants. The APPCB has taken action against industries, imposing environmental compensation totalling approximately ₹16.33 crore on 10 industrial units for alleged violations of environmental and pollution control standards. These industries have been directed to maintain pollution control equipment and adhere to emission standards.
However, the precise contribution of industrial emissions, vehicular traffic, and road dust to the overall pollution burden remains to be definitively quantified. To enhance monitoring capabilities, the APPCB plans to deploy five new IoT-based sensor stations, which are expected to become operational by November 2026. Recent analyses indicate a broader trend of air quality deterioration across Andhra Pradesh, with Visakhapatnam identified as a major pollution hotspot. Reports suggest that PM10 levels in the city have risen by approximately 32.9% between the fiscal years 2017-18 and 2024-25, with PM2.5 levels also showing an upward trend and exceeding safe limits. Nitrogen dioxide, a gas produced by vehicles and industry, has also seen a significant increase.
The winter months of November, December, and January are consistently identified as periods of peak pollution across PM2.5, PM10, and nitrogen dioxide. This pattern is attributed to factors such as reduced wind speeds, temperature inversions, and lower atmospheric mixing, which collectively trap pollutants near ground level. The combination of port activities, heavy industrial operations, and increasing urban vehicular traffic is cited as creating a compounding pollution burden in Visakhapatnam.
While Visakhapatnam’s air quality is often described as ‘moderate’ compared to highly polluted cities, the consistent breaching of national standards and the upward trend in pollution levels over the past decade raise concerns about the long-term health implications for residents. The city’s average AQI has generally remained between 95 and 130 over the last decade, placing it in a mid-tier category but consistently within the ‘unhealthy’ range for sensitive groups. Despite efforts by the APPCB to enforce regulations and introduce new monitoring technology, addressing the complex interplay of geographical factors, industrial emissions, and urban development remains a critical challenge for Visakhapatnam.
The Chenab Times News Desk