APPCB to Divert Vizag Port, Steel Plant Traffic to Curb Pollution

APPCB chairman P. Krishnaiah said authorities would take up the diversion of heavy vehicular traffic from Gangavaram Port and the Steel Plant that passes through Gajuwaka. The effort will involve the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB), the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and the Regional Transport Authority (RTA).

Air quality measures discussed

Mr. Krishnaiah was responding to issues raised by the Greater Visakhapatnam Citizens’ Forum (GVCF) during a video conference held recently on air pollution control, air quality monitoring, and pollution from port and industrial activities.

GVCF president Sohan Hatangadi and secretary Capt. N. Viswanathan participated in the meeting. The forum’s concerns included the movement of heavy vehicles associated with the port and the Steel Plant through Gajuwaka.

Mr. Krishnaiah said the city had eight manual air quality monitoring stations and three Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS). Five IoT sensor-based monitoring stations would be made available by November, he said.

The additional monitoring stations were discussed alongside demands for quicker integration of the new CAAQMS at Harbour Park and Siripuram with the CPCB website. The GVCF also sought public access to industrial CAAQMS data.

Port mechanisation and dust control

About 40% of the required mechanisation work at the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) had been completed, Mr. Krishnaiah said. He said that if the remaining work was not completed, the matter would be examined for appropriate action at the next renewal of the VPA’s Consent for Operation.

He directed officials to ensure compliance and to instruct the VPA to use chemicals approved under Central Pollution Control Board guidelines. Regional officials said trucks were being covered with tarpaulins and water was being sprinkled on the ground using sprinklers to control dust.

Mr. Krishnaiah also responded positively to a proposal to extend the National Green Tribunal directions applicable to the Visakhapatnam Port to Gangavaram Port. The APPCB would also take up with the GVMC a proposal for low-cost dust monitors at construction and demolition sites.

Data and pollution assessment

The GVCF raised the need for publication of the latest Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index score. It also sought the publication of the Source Apportionment Study conducted by Andhra University.

The forum said it would follow up with the agencies concerned on the monitoring, data access and pollution-control issues raised during the meeting.

Source: The Hindu