Forum seeks integrated plan to curb Vizag air pollution
Seeking a coordinated response to rising air pollution in the city, the Greater Visakhapatnam Citizens’ Forum has urged the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) to prepare an Integrated Air Pollution Action Plan.
In a memorandum to the APPCB, Forum secretary Capt. N. Viswanathan said pollution from coal handling at Visakhapatnam and Gangavaram ports, road dust, construction activity and diesel emissions needed to be tackled through a coordinated approach.
He urged the APPCB to bring the GVMC, both ports, APSRTC, the police, the RTA, the district administration and industries on a common platform.
The Forum sought a comprehensive audit of coal-handling operations, covering unloading, stockyards, transportation, dust suppression, wind barriers, road cleaning and air quality monitoring.
It also recommended covered conveyors, improved stockpile management and stricter controls on vehicles transporting bulk materials.
It asked the APPCB to release the source apportionment study conducted by Andhra University and submitted to the board in 2025, saying it would help identify the major contributors to pollution.
The Forum also sought more Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations, besides low-cost monitors in residential, industrial, traffic-intensive and port-affected areas.
It said red-category industries with air emissions should have continuous monitoring systems and make the data publicly available.
Stricter checks on coal- and ash-carrying vehicles, surprise emission tests on diesel vehicles and tighter verification of Pollution Under Control certificates were also sought.
The Forum suggested examining restrictions on highly polluting vehicles that are more than 15 years old. It also called for better traffic management, dust control at construction sites, paving of road shoulders and increased greenery along medians.
An alternative road through the Steel Plant area was proposed to divert heavy vehicles from densely populated areas. The Forum urged the APPCB to convene a meeting of all stakeholders and major industries and to make air quality and compliance data accessible to citizens.