Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Andhra Pradesh Cities Improve Air Rankings, Naidu Demands Further Action
Andhra Pradesh checked how well its cities were improving their air.
Eight of the state’s 13 cities listed as having serious pollution problems moved up in the national rankings.
Eluru improved the most, rising from 31st place to fourth.
Guntur became the second-best city in its category.
Vijayawada and Nellore also moved higher.
The state won five awards worth ₹1.05 crore in total.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said clean air is important for people’s health and daily lives, not just for winning rankings.
He asked officials to find pollution sources and take stronger action in cities that did not improve.
Eight of Andhra Pradesh’s 13 non-attainment cities improved their national rankings in Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2026.
Eluru made the biggest jump, moving from 31st place in 2025 to fourth in 2026.
Guntur rose from sixth to second, while Vijayawada and Nellore also improved their rankings.
The state won five awards worth a combined ₹1.05 crore, including national and state-level honors.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu ordered officials to identify pollution sources and strengthen air-quality monitoring and enforcement.
- Who
- Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra Pradesh district collectors, municipal administrations and urban local bodies.
- What
- Andhra Pradesh reviewed its Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2026 performance, reported improved rankings in eight cities and received five awards.
- When
- The performance review took place on Friday during the second day of the district collectors’ conference; the national awards were presented on September 7.
- Where
- The review was held at the Secretariat, and the awards were presented in New Delhi.
- Why
- Naidu wants officials to improve air quality, address pollution sources and strengthen public-health and sustainable-development outcomes.
- Cities assessed
- All 13 of Andhra Pradesh’s non-attainment cities participated in city- and ward-level assessments.
- Cities improving
- Eight of the 13 non-attainment cities improved their national rankings.
- Biggest improvement
- Eluru rose from 31st in 2025 to fourth in 2026.
- Guntur result
- Guntur moved from sixth to second nationally in the 3–10 lakh city category and won ₹25 lakh.
- Vijayawada result
- Vijayawada’s Ward-60 ranked second nationally in the 10,000–30,000 category and won ₹30 lakh.
- Total awards
- Andhra Pradesh won five awards carrying a combined ₹1.05 crore.
- Required action
- Collectors were told to identify pollution sources, assess implementation gaps and take corrective measures.