APPCB to seek alternative routes for heavy vehicles through Gajuwaka

The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) will approach the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) to explore alternative routes for heavy vehicles from Gangavaram Port and the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant that pass through Gajuwaka, in a bid to reduce air pollution.

APPCB Chairman P. Krishnaiah said this during a video conference on Wednesday with representatives of the Greater Visakha Citizens Forum (GVCF) on air pollution and monitoring in the city.

He said eight manual air quality monitoring stations and three Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations were functioning in the city, and five IoT-based stations would be set up by November.

On pollution control at the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA), Mr. Krishnaiah said 40% of the required mechanisation work had been completed, and directed officials to expedite the rest. Compliance would be reviewed when the Consent for Operation is next renewed, he said.

Regional officials said trucks were being covered with tarpaulins and water sprinkled to control dust from port activities.

Mr. Krishnaiah asked officials to ensure that the VPA used chemicals approved under Central Pollution Control Board guidelines. He also agreed to a proposal to extend the National Green Tribunal guidelines applicable to the VPA to Gangavaram Port.

The GVCF suggested that low-cost dust monitors be used at construction sites to track pollution from construction and demolition work.

Mr. Krishnaiah called for greater involvement of resident welfare associations, citizen groups and civic organisations, and suggested awareness programmes on construction dust, plastic use, waste segregation and neighbourhood cleanliness.

GVCF president Sohan Hattangadi, secretary N. Viswanathan and APPCB Member Secretary Saravanan were among those present.