Collector Pushes for Urgent Industrial Safety Plan

Visakhapatnam District Collector M. N. Harendhira Prasad has directed all concerned departments and industrial management to expedite the preparation of the district Off-site Emergency Plan, underscoring the need for stronger preventive measures to minimize the risk of industrial accidents.

Chairing a district-level Crisis Group meeting at the Collectorate on Thursday, he directed industries to remove obsolete and nonfunctional machinery, scrap, and other unused materials from their premises. He called for strict enforcement of safety standards across industrial units.

In view of the International Fleet Review scheduled to be held in Visakhapatnam from February 17, the Collector asked industries to remain on high alert and reinforce safety systems. He also directed them to ensure that emissions comply with the limits prescribed by the Pollution Control Board.

Crisis Group Member Secretary and Joint Chief Inspector of Factories Suresh briefed participants on the decisions taken at the previous meeting and the status of their implementation.

Officials from the District Industries Centre, security personnel of the Visakhapatnam Port Authority, teams from the National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Response Force, the Deputy Commandant of Civil Defence, and representatives of various industries attended the meeting.