Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 1 day ago
Visakhapatnam air exceeded national standard on 259 of 382 recorded days
Air quality in Visakhapatnam, in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, exceeded the national standard on 259 of 382 days with recorded readings from September 2025 to September 2026.
The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board imposed a total of ₹16.33 crore in environmental compensation on 10 industries for breaking environmental and pollution-control rules.
The sharpest deterioration came in December 2025, when 25 of 30 daily readings were rated poor or very poor.
The board said smoke and emissions from some industries were harming air quality, and inspections found problems at some units.
It directed industries to meet emission standards and operate pollution-control equipment properly, but the data do not show whether enforcement or seasonal change led to later improvement.
Readings were much worse in winter, when cold air near the ground can trap pollution; the city’s bowl-shaped terrain also limits how pollutants disperse.
Prolonged exposure to very poor air can cause respiratory illness, according to the board’s health advisory.
Visakhapatnam’s air quality exceeded the national standard on 259 of the 382 days with readings from September 2025 to September 2026.
The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board imposed environmental compensation totalling ₹16.33 crore on 10 industries in the city for violating environmental and pollution-control standards.
Air quality worsened sharply in December 2025, when 25 of 30 daily readings were in the “poor” or “very poor” categories.
The average daily AQI in December was 255, compared with 88 in October.
The data show a strong seasonal pattern, with most “poor” or worse readings occurring between November and February.
- Who
- The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board imposed compensation on 10 industries in Visakhapatnam.
- What
- Air quality exceeded the national standard on 259 of 382 recorded days, and the Board imposed ₹16.33 crore in compensation on the industries.
- When
- The air-quality data cover September 2025 to September 2026. The compensation followed inspections and enforcement actions described by the Board.
- Where
- Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
- Why
- The Board said some industries were not complying with environmental regulations and prescribed pollution-control standards. A Board scientist also said winter conditions and the city’s terrain can trap pollutants.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
Of 30 daily AQI readings, 25 were “poor” or “very poor”; the monthly average was 255.
Task force teams inspected several industries, found deficiencies at some units and issued notices.
Air-quality readings eased, with four of the 26 published readings in the “poor” category.
- Days above national standard
- 259 of 382 recorded days
- Industries penalised
- 10
- Environmental compensation
- ₹16.33 crore (₹16,32,75,000)
- December average AQI
- 255
- December peak AQI
- 347 on December 19
- Data period
- September 2025 to September 2026
Sources
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