Vizag MP Urges Centre to Strengthen Measures Against Port Pollution
Visakhapatnam, Aug. 7 (TNT): Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat on Friday urged the Centre to implement stronger and time-bound measures to curb pollution arising from port operations in Visakhapatnam, stressing that economic growth and environmental sustainability must go hand in hand.
During a meeting with Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal in New Delhi, the MP submitted a detailed representation seeking enhanced environmental safeguards for the port city.
Sribharat said Visakhapatnam’s unique bowl-shaped topography restricts the dispersion of airborne pollutants, leading to higher concentrations of particulate matter.
He noted that dust generated during cargo loading, unloading, storage and transportation at ports was among the major contributors to increasing PM10 and PM2.5 levels in the city.
Referring to a review meeting held on July 10 with officials of the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB), the district administration, Visakhapatnam Port Authority, Adani Gangavaram Port and other stakeholders, the MP said several time-bound measures had been identified to reduce dust pollution from port activities.
While acknowledging initiatives already undertaken by the Visakhapatnam Port Authority and Adani Gangavaram Port, including mechanised cargo handling, fog cannons, automated sprinkler systems, HDPE cargo covers, truck tyre-washing facilities and green buffer zones, he said public concerns over pollution continued to persist.
Sribharat urged the Union Minister to expedite implementation of the Harit Sagar–Green Port Guidelines, 2023, ensure complete mechanisation of dust-intensive bulk cargo handling operations and mandate installation of enclosed conveyor systems, scientific cargo storage facilities, automated dust suppression systems and wind barriers at all port terminals.
He also proposed formulation of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for dust-free bulk cargo handling at all major ports and suggested an environmental accountability framework with measurable performance indicators, quarterly compliance reports, real-time public disclosure of air quality data, annual third-party environmental audits and stringent enforcement against repeated violations.
The MP further sought the establishment of additional Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS), deployment of drone-based environmental surveillance, creation of public digital dashboards displaying air quality data and a quarterly environmental review mechanism involving the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Visakhapatnam Port Authority, Adani Gangavaram Port, APPCB and the district administration.
Stating that Visakhapatnam is one of India’s most strategically important port cities and a key driver of maritime trade, Sribharat said industrial and port-led development should not come at the cost of public health and environmental sustainability.
He expressed confidence that the Centre would take the necessary policy and institutional measures to ensure environmentally responsible and sustainable port operations in the city.
TNT KM
