APPCB imposes Rs 10 crore penalty on industries for air pollution in Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam: Following very poor air quality levels in the city, multiple departments carried out inspections over the past two weeks. The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) issued notices to industries for exceeding pollution standards, imposing environmental compensation of about ₹10 crore. The transport department booked 159 e-challans for overloading, missing PUC certificates, and uncovered loads, with penalties totaling ₹17.54 lakh. GVMC enforcement teams also acted against air pollution–related violations across the city.Officers from APPCB, district public transport office, deputy transport commissioner, GVMC, and APIIC have been conducting field inspections since December 21. APPCB inspected major industries and facilities including Visakhapatnam Port Authority, HPCL Visakh refinery, Coromandel International, AMNS iron ore pellet plant, RINL Vizag steel plant, Hinduja thermal power plant, Rain CII Carbon, Vizag Sea Port, AMNS terminal, and Vizag general cargo berth.APPCB environmental engineer P Venkata Mukunda Rao said ambient air quality monitoring was conducted manually and via mobile monitoring bus, calibration systems were verified, and continuous data transmission ensured. "Seven notices were issued to industries for exceeding standards. The road transport department penalised overloaded vehicles and those without valid PUC certificates. APPTD also inspected all district buses, identified minor defects in 10 buses, and rectified them immediately. Drivers and mechanical staff received training and awareness briefings on pollution mitigation," Rao said."GVMC deployed 10 enforcement teams to address air pollution violations. The public health section took action on identified violations, while the engineering section monitored ongoing compliance. APIIC carried out regular sweeping and water sprinkling on internal roads in industrial areas. The legal metrology department inspected petrol bunks and confirmed deliveries were within tolerance limits," he added.