The Hindu 22.12.2011
GVMC wants industries, PCB to act on pollution
Favouring concrete action on the part of polluting
industries to contain it and against them by the AP Pollution Control
Board, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation on Wednesday held
a preliminary meeting.
Report
A report on the deliberations and suggestions will be prepared based on which a second meeting will be held.
Mayor
Pulusu Janardhana Rao stressed the need for containing pollution in
view of the city attracting more industries resulting in more pollution.
Municipal
Commissioner B. Ramanjaneyulu said with urea, sulphur and other cargo
spilling onto the road, accidents were taking place and 600 persons were
injured because of this.
All industries should work complying with the municipal laws, he asserted.
He
and the Mayor insisted that the port must implement the directions of
the PCB. The Commissioner wanted Port Chief Engineer Ramachandra Rao to
act on the assurance of Chairman Ajeya Kallam to take up constructive
suggestions and initiate interim measures.
Port modernisation
Mr.
Ramachandra Rao said the general cargo berth was being modernised with a
cost of Rs.450 crore and the first phase would be completed in
September, 2012 and the second by December 2013.
APPCB
Executive Engineer U. Ali Khan said of the seven industries in the city
HPCL and the port were causing most of the pollution.
Notices issued
The port had been given three notices each in 2010 and 2011 respectively.
It had failed to cover dusty cargo fully and set up a full-fledged tyre-washing.
If the two coal heaps dumped without permission were removed, 30 per cent of pollution could be reduced.
Deputy
Transport Commissioner Sambasiva Rao said 300 polluting vehicles were
fined but the Commissioner wanted them to be seized.
CPI (M) and CPI floor leaders Botta Eswaramma and A.J. Stalin and several corporators participated.
Mayor Pulusu Janardhana Rao stresses the need for containing pollution
All industries should comply with the municipal laws, says Commissioner