APPCB to divert Vizag port, steel plant heavy vehicles to curb pollution

The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) will divert heavy vehicles from the Gangavaram Port and Steel Plant to the Gajuwaka area, in an effort to reduce pollution, according to the APPCB chairman, P. Krishnaiah. This decision was made during a video conference meeting with the Greater Visakhapatnam Citizens’ Forum (GVCF) to address concerns about air pollution, air quality monitoring, and the impact of port and industrial activities.

Currently, the city has eight manual air quality monitoring stations and three Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS). By November, five IoT sensor-based monitoring stations will be added. Around 40% of the required mechanization work at the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) has been completed, with the remainder awaiting finalization to avoid further action from the VPA's Consent for Operation.

Officials have taken measures to control dust, including covering trucks with tarpaulins and sprinkling water on the ground. Krishnaiah also expressed support for extending National Green Tribunal directives to Gangavaram Port, as well as implementing low-cost dust monitors at construction and demolition sites. The GVCF has called for faster integration of the new CAAQMS at Harbour Park and Siripuram with the CPCB website, and the public release of industrial CAAQMS data.

A Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index score and Source Apportionment Study conducted by Andhra University will be published. The forum promises to follow up with the relevant agencies.