State’s air quality deteriorated over 3 years, reveals report

While Andhra Pradesh’s air quality has worsened over the last three years, pollution from particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide has worsened over the same period, with Visakhapatnam emerging as a major pollution hotspot, according to an analysis by Pune-based climate technology startup Respirer Living Science.

The analysis, conducted over the three years between January 2024 and April 2026, states that PM10, which are coarse dust particles small enough to enter the nose and throat, exceeded the national limit, while PM2.5, which are ultrafine particles that can penetrate the lungs and bloodstream, exceeded the national threshold, increasing by 33%. The report found that nitrogen dioxide (a combustion gas from vehicles and industry that irritates the respiratory tract) pollution increased by nearly 44%.

The winter months – November, December and January – bring pollution to the highest levels in PM2.5, PM10 and nitrogen dioxide; This can be attributed to reduced wind speeds, temperature changes, and lower atmospheric mixing that traps pollutants near ground level.

However, according to the analysis, Ammonia levels do not peak sharply during the winter months; they remain relatively high in all months, with the highest values ​​seen in early 2026 (January-April).

Vizag major pollution hotspot

Top PM2.5 hotspot stations for three years include GVMC in Visakhapatnam, Vaikuntapuram in Tirupati, Gangineni Cheruvu in Chittoor and Yerramukkapalli in Kadapa, while top PM10 hotspot stations include GVMC in Visakhapatnam, Gulzarpet in Anantapur, Gangineni Cheruvu in Chittoor, Anand in Rajamahendravaram Kalakshetram and Secretariat in Amaravati.

The combination of port activities, heavy industry and increasing urban traffic is creating an increasing pollution burden in Visakhapatnam, the report said.