Citizens’ forum seeks urgent pollution curbs in Vizag

Citizens’ Forum urges administration to tackle coal dust, vehicular emissions, industrial pollution and sea contamination

Visakhapatnam: Warning that the city is heading towards a major environmental and public health crisis, the Greater Visakhapatnam Citizens’ Forum (GVCF) has urged the district administration to implement comprehensive pollution control measures on priority.

In a detailed representation to the Visakhapatnam district collector, the Forum highlighted a sharp rise in particulate pollution, increasing coal dust emissions from port operations, unchecked construction dust, vehicular pollution, inadequate air quality monitoring, and growing contamination of coastal waters.

According to GVCF, Visakhapatnam has recorded one of the highest increases in PM10 levels among cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

“Visakhapatnam is a coastal and industrial city with unique environmental vulnerabilities. If corrective measures are delayed further, the impact on public health and the environment could become irreversible,” said Capt N. Viswanathan, secretary of GVCF.

The Forum identified coal handling operations at Visakhapatnam Port Authority and Gangavaram Port as major sources of fugitive coal dust affecting nearby residential areas.

It urged authorities to adopt globally proven dust-control measures, including veneering of coal stacks, covered transport of coal in trucks and railway wagons, installation of wind fences around coal yards, and use of dry fog and water-mist suppression systems. Mechanical road sweeping, wet cleaning, tyre-washing systems for heavy vehicles, and covered cargo handling facilities were also recommended.

“Conventional methods such as periodic water sprinkling are no longer adequate. Advanced dust suppression technologies used internationally must become standard practice in Visakhapatnam,” Viswanathan said.

The Forum also flagged rising construction-related dust pollution and called for mandatory installation of PM10 and PM2.5 monitoring display systems at major construction sites.

Seeking stricter curbs on vehicular emissions, it urged authorities to conduct surprise roadside checks, particularly targeting ageing diesel trucks and commercial vehicles.

Another key concern raised was the lack of adequate real-time air quality monitoring infrastructure.

“A city of Visakhapatnam’s industrial scale cannot depend on a single Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station. Monitoring systems must be expanded to multiple locations on priority,” the Forum said.

The representation also highlighted pollution of the sea and beaches due to sewage discharge, garbage dumping, and immersion of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols.

GVCF appealed to the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) to strengthen coastal waste management and promote eco-friendly alternatives for festival immersions.

The Forum said it is willing to work with government agencies, industries, scientists, and citizen groups to support long-term and sustainable pollution control measures in the city.