Vizag Rambler

  It is a sorry state of affairs that the agency required to monitor the Air is itself shirking its responsibilities and actually misreporting the data. The use of manual Air pollution monitoring equipment gives these bureaucrats the power present data which is not too harsh to their political bosses without as much as a thought to the health of the citizens. Our right to know the quality of air in the city cannot be trampled on by the Pollution control boards. GVCF s letter on the matter is in the right direction but will it wake up the authorities. Does the NGT have to step into every issue to rap the administration on their incompetence?

  It is important that Citizens take up with the authorities the failure of the Pollution Control Board to do their duty. The continuing rise in pollution levels is causing a lot of pulmonary diseases. Wake up Vizagites!!  Extracts fromDeccan Chronicle Article Dt. 24 November 2023  https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/241123/appcb-fails-to-check-pollution-in-vizag-officials-say-regional-branch.html The APPCB Vizag branch's regional office has the job of Controlling pollution in Visakhapatnam and Anakapalle.  Visakhapatnam has seven large-scale industries. Hindustan Shipyard; Hindustan Petroleum Corporation,  Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd, Simhadri thermal power project, Bharat heavy plate and vessels ltd, National mineral development corporation, Ferro scrap nigam ltd. All these seven industries emit lots of atmospheric and other pollutants. Anakapalle district’s Atchutapuram mandal has several industries that contribute to the region’s pollution bul...

  On 18 th Feb 2025 a community exercise regarding Air Pollution with citizens and stakeholders was held at Public Library. Prominent citizens and subject matter experts were invited to record their views. It was a privilege to have Dr Sharath Guttikunda from Urban emissions.info, Dr DP Mishra from Surface solutions and Ms Manjula Boyna of LAYA Resource Centre, joining on Zoom, and Prof Mukund, Geetham College - member District Traffic Advisory Committee, Mr B Appalanaidu Div Mgr., APRTC, Mr.T V Nageswara Rao, Social Activist, Sohan Hatangadi, Environment Campaigner & Prof Balamohan Das, Ex Vice-Chancellor Nagarjuna University and other citizens in person. The summary of the discussions were as below: 1.     Since the Air Pollution status was Moderate to Poor in Vizag, the Graded response plan should have been implemented under the National Clean Air Plan submitted by APPCB to the GoI, but since the plan was only suggestive no action is being taken . ...

A Cartel that determines your death wish If you are a Hindu in Visakhapatnam, and are at the age you see your, friends, near and dear one passing away, you know you have some problems to tackle if you have to arrange their cremation. The City of Visakhapatnam has over 50 Hindu Cremation Grounds at different Locations. The Main Cremation Ground is located at Gnanapuram area.   In the absence of an electrical Crematorium facility, the bodies are cremated in the open involving firewood. On an average Gnanapuram Cremation ground receives 15 bodies in a day. The Hindu public are left to the mercy of a family controlling Cremation ceremonies in Gnanapuram and other Hindu Crematoriums. The brothers have shared the grounds among themselves and you have no choice but to contact one of them for conducting the last rites of your dear ones.  In April 2021, post the Covid crisis, an Electric Crematorium was installed in Gnanapuram at a cost of Rs.60 Lakhs. However vested interests have ens...

The apathy of the civil administration of Vizag to the concerns of pollution has left the city literally breathless!! A single ride along the flyover from Chavalamadam along the Port Road is enough to damage your lungs for a lifetime - particularly if you are in an auto or two wheeler. Why is the civil administration not taking focussed action on Pollution - inspite of Vizag already having the dubious distinction of being one of cities with the poorest AQI in the country? Sometimes I wonder if it helps them get more grants on this pretext or perhaps arm-twisting abilities over the local industries  - that they would love it to continue. The only Air quality monitoring station data that is provided to the Centre, is that of the unit in GVMC office. Though AQM units are available in the rest of the city and in particular locations like Gnanapuram, this it not shared for obvious reaons. A typical case of Govt apathy is that of the Vizag Port . The NGT order of 2017 had mandated coveri...

Todays news regarding the review of the Visakhapatnam Masterplan 2021 made by VMRDA, is a step in the right direction by the Govt.. Inspite of so many objections to the plan...and without addressing the concerns raised...the previous plan was pushed through. It was a gross disappointment for the citizen and advocacy groups who had taken efforts to review the plan in detail and see no response to their comments. The new dispensation has shown positive vibes particularly concerning the environment and we hope some of the concerns raised by the various city forums and activists will be addressed and responded to, in a democratic manner.