Single-use plastic banned in Vizag amid rising pollution levels

Visakhapatnam: Amid the rising pollution levels in Visakhapatnam, the Telangana government on Thursday banned the use of single-use plastic in the district.
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan directed the use of biodegradable material as replacement.
In order to control the air pollution, the previous government released Rs 19.15 crore under the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) scheme from the year 2022 to 2024. Additionally, the Union government had also allocated Rs 129.25 crore to tackle pollution however due to negligence by the previous government, the pollution control measures were less effective.
The state government will be reviewing the pollution levels in the city and will take necessary actions to control the same.
The AQI level measured in Visakhapatnam was 184 at 11 a.m. as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
According to the data of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded in Delhi was 378, categorised as 'very poor', as of 11 am on Thursday.
The national capital has been grappling with rising levels of air pollution post-Diwali.