VISAKHAPATNAM, September 19, 2026: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday visited RK Beach and reviewed the ongoing coastal and marine cleanliness operations being carried out under the Swarna Andhra–Swachha Andhra programme.
The Chief Minister inspected the beach-cleaning activities and interacted with sanitation workers, fishermen and scuba divers who are part of the initiative to remove plastic and other waste from the coastline and the sea.
Naidu first joined sanitation workers in the beach-cleaning exercise and enquired about the procedures followed to keep the shoreline clean. He later spoke to fishermen involved in collecting plastic waste from the sea while carrying out their normal fishing activities.
The fishermen explained that special nets are being used to collect plastic waste during fishing. The material is subsequently transported to the Ocean Plastic Recovery Centre, where it is weighed using digital weighing equipment. Incentives are provided according to the quantity of waste recovered, the fishermen told the Chief Minister.
Officials said the initiative has set a target of recovering 1,200 tonnes of marine plastic. Naidu inspected the weighing process and distributed incentives to participating fishermen.
Underwater waste removal
The Chief Minister also interacted with scuba divers engaged in removing waste from underwater areas close to the coast.
The divers explained that they were recovering plastic, discarded fishing nets, bottles and packaging material trapped among rocks and other areas of the seabed. They said the operation was being conducted with the support of fishing boats, enabling waste to be collected from both the sea surface and underwater.
Naidu viewed visuals of the underwater cleaning operations before visiting an exhibition organised by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC).
Technology deployed for sanitation
At the GVMC exhibition, the Chief Minister examined sewerage robots used for cleaning drains and manholes. Officials explained how mechanised equipment was being deployed to improve sanitation operations.
Naidu also watched a video presentation detailing GVMC's initiatives for improving the cleanliness of Visakhapatnam's beaches and marine environment.
Representatives of Bloomberg Philanthropies met the Chief Minister and briefed him on the Ocean Clean-up Project, its objectives and the global recognition received by the GVMC initiative.
Naidu virtually inaugurated the pilot site of an Ocean Plastic Recovery Centre at Pedajalaripeta, spread over approximately 185 square metres.
CM orders pension assistance for single woman
During his visit, Naidu also interacted with a woman selling murmure mixture at RK Beach. He enquired about her livelihood and business.
After learning that she was a single woman, the Chief Minister directed officials to take steps to provide her with a pension, according to the government release.
