Visakhapatnam MLAs seek action to curb air pollution
Visakhapatnam MLAs have urged the State government to take immediate measures to control rising air pollution in the city, particularly emissions from the Visakhapatnam Port and industrial units.
Visakhapatnam South MLA Vamsi Krishna Srinivas said rising pollution levels were a serious concern, with thick layers of pollutants visible in the air during the morning hours. He said public agitations had already been held over pollution-related issues.
Mr. Srinivas alleged that some privately-operated berths at the port were not following prescribed dust-control norms. He said the loading and unloading of iron ore and coal needed stricter monitoring and alleged that vehicles carrying these materials were often not properly covered with tarpaulins, allowing dust to escape into the air.
He called for stronger green belts around the port and industrial areas and suggested examining the feasibility of underground storage facilities for bulk materials. He also sought more closed godowns to prevent dust from spreading.
The MLA said water sprinkling on roads was being used to control dust but noted that dust settling on vehicle tyres was carried to other roads, worsening pollution. He urged Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan to visit the port area and assess the situation.
Bheemunipatnam MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao said the port was only one of several sources of air pollution in Visakhapatnam. Industrial units, pharmaceutical companies and vehicular emissions were also major contributors, he said.
Citing various reports, Mr. Srinivasa Rao claimed that pollution levels in Visakhapatnam were worse than those in Delhi. Highlighting the extent of dust pollution, he said a person wearing a white shirt while travelling through One Town in the morning could find it turning black by the end of the journey.
He called for strengthening the manpower and monitoring capacity of the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB). He warned that continued inaction could raise concerns over the city’s environmental conditions in the coming years.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao also suggested linking approvals for future industrial projects to clear commitments on developing and maintaining green cover.
Visakhapatnam West MLA P.G.V.R. Naidu (Gana Babu) also expressed concern over deteriorating air quality and called for stricter measures to control pollution from various sources.
Responding to the MLAs’ concerns, Minister Nadendla Manohar said the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) had been directed to install additional dust-suppression systems and real-time air-quality monitoring stations and strengthen green belts in the port area.
He said cargo-handling operations, vehicle movement and road dust were among the factors affecting air quality around the port. The Minister also referred to a recent meeting held to review the city’s air-quality situation.