Even as construction for Andhra's upcoming capital Amaravati takes place in full swing, the adverse affect of urbanisation and population growth, can be seen in the capital area.
Writing for The New Indian Express, Sistla Dakshinamurthy reported that Vijayawada’s air quality dipped sharply after the area near it designated as part of the state capital.
Stating that the smoke and existing pollution level in the city exceed the standard level of killer particles by five to six times, the report also says that high exposure could affect everyone.
Even the SPM in the city is more than 100 microgram/cubic meter, compared to the healthy level of 60 microgram/cubic meter, the TNIE report adds.
This is also not the first such study that has highlighted Vijayawada's growing problem of air and dust pollution.
Last year, the state government was reportedly alerted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) about the increasing air pollution levels in the state, saying that particulate matter exceeded the healthy standards in in Vijayawada, Guntur, Kurnool, Nellore and Visakhapatnam.
However, of all the cities, it was Vijayawada that was most worrisome.
The Times of India reported at the time, that Vijayawada had the highest level of PM10 in the state with 110 ug/m3, with pollution levels constantly going up over the last five years.
"While it was around 90 ug/m3 in 2011, it was 97 ug/m3 in 2012. It crossed the 100-mark when it reached 104 ug/m3 in 2014. It broke its own record by touching 110 ug/m3 in 2015," TOI reported.
Concerns have also been raised at the availability of potable water in the city, as an overuse of chemical fertilisers and pesticides in the agricultural land for decades has reportedly turned the groundwater either saline or alkaline.
However, Amaravati promises to be a "world-class blue-green city", with authorities taking several steps to fulfill this promise.
Presently, Vijayawada has the highest level of pollution in the state
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