Green Visakha pushes poll candidates on environmental pledges

Green Visakha, a Visakhapatnam-based environmental advocacy group, has intensified pressure on political candidates to commit to concrete environmental targets ahead of upcoming elections in the coastal city.

The organisation has circulated a charter of environmental demands to poll candidates, seeking specific, time-bound commitments on issues ranging from pollution control to sustainable urban development. The initiative reflects growing public concern over environmental degradation in the rapidly urbanising Andhra Pradesh city.

Among its key demands, Green Visakha has urged the state government to impose a moratorium on further artificial intelligence data centre projects in the region until comprehensive, independent environmental impact assessments are completed. The group contends that existing evaluations are insufficient to determine the full ecological and infrastructural consequences of such large-scale facilities.

The environmental group's push comes as Visakhapatnam faces mounting pressure from industrial expansion and urbanisation. Officials and environmental experts have flagged concerns about water consumption, energy demand, and waste management linked to rapid development.

Green Visakha's move signals the electorate's heightened focus on sustainability in local politics, compelling candidates to articulate their environmental credentials as a campaign priority.