States » SouthPosted at: Sep 30 2026 11:14PM


APPCB to explore alternative routes for heavy vehicles to reduce Visakhapatnam air pollution

Visakhapatnam, Sept 30 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) will coordinate with the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and Regional Transport Authority (RTA) to explore alternative routes for heavy vehicles travelling from Gangavaram Port and the Steel Plant through Gajuwaka to reduce air pollution in the city.
APPCB Chairman Dr P. Krishnaiah announced this during a video conference with representatives of the Greater Visakha Citizens Forum (GVCF) on Wednesday evening to discuss air quality monitoring and measures to control pollution from port and industrial activities.
Krishnaiah said eight manual air quality monitoring stations and three Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) were operating within Visakhapatnam city limits.
Five additional Internet of Things (IoT)-based monitoring stations would be made available by November to strengthen real-time monitoring, he added.
Regarding pollution control at Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA), the chairman said around 40 per cent of the required mechanisation work had been completed. He directed officials to ensure that the remaining work was completed at the earliest.
He warned that failure to implement the required measures could invite appropriate action under the rules at the time of the next renewal of the port's Consent for Operation (CFO).
Regional pollution control officials said measures, including covering trucks with tarpaulins and sprinkling water on roads and other surfaces, were being taken to control dust emissions.
Krishnaiah also directed officials to instruct the VPA to procure and use chemicals approved under Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines.
The chairman also agreed to consider extending the National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines applicable to the VPA to Gangavaram Port and directed officials to take necessary action.
GVCF representatives proposed the use of low-cost dust monitors by construction agencies to measure pollution from construction and demolition activities.
Krishnaiah stressed the need for greater public participation in pollution control through coordination among resident welfare associations, citizen groups, builders, GVMC and the APPCB. He suggested awareness workshops on construction dust, plastic use, waste segregation and neighbourhood cleanliness.
The meeting was attended by APPCB Member Secretary Saravanan, Chief Environmental Engineer M. Rajasekhar, Joint Chief Environmental Scientist Sriranjani, Joint Chief Environmental Engineer Maheswara Rao and officials from the Visakhapatnam zonal and regional offices.
GVCF president Sohan Hattangadi, secretary Captain N. Viswanathan and other representatives also participated.
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Tags: #APPCB to explore alternative routes for heavy vehicles to reduce Visakhapatnam air pollution
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