Visakhapatnam:The state Pollution Control Board, in coordination with the GVMC, marked the day “Swachh Vayu Diwas / Clean Air for Blue Skies” with a Green Walkathon along Beach Road on Monday.

The event was flagged off at Kali Mata Temple by APPCB chairman P Krishnaiah, port authority chairman Jasmeet Singh Bindra, GVMC commissioner Ketan Garg, and VPA vice-chairperson Roshini Aparanji.

Krishnaiah stressed that regional development must balance industrial growth with environmental protection. APPCB spends nearly Rs 3 crore annually on air quality monitoring across the state, he said.

Bindra outlined measures being taken at the port, including extensive plantation drives, covering transport trucks with tarpaulins and mechanised water sprinkling to reduce dust emissions. Appala Naidu said more electric buses were being introduced to cut vehicular pollution.

APPCB board member Panchakarla Sandeep noted that industries must adopt emission-control measures alongside growth initiatives. GVMC commissioner Ketan Garg cited construction and demolition waste as a major contributor to pollution and said that steps were being taken to ensure its proper management.

Following the walkathon, APPCB officials held an interaction with stakeholders, where detailed discussions were held on practical steps for pollution control. Plantation activities were also undertaken along Beach Road and near the Port.

Krishnaiah inaugurated the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station at Harbour Park, which will provide real-time data on pollutants such as PM10, PM2.5, SO₂, NO₂, CO and O₃. He announced that three more stations would be set up in Visakhapatnam.

Later, a workshop was organised at the GVMC office. District collector Abhishek Kishore said the administration would continue to promote industries while ensuring environmental safeguards. GVMC commissioner Ketan Garg announced plans to introduce automated traffic signalling systems to reduce vehicular emissions.

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