Lack of purposeful Action on Pollution in Vizag

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 covering of the coal stacks with Tarpaulins and spraying water. The NGT order was based on the health concerns of those in the Old town area taken up by the NGO Chaitanya Sravanti headed by Dr Shireen Rehman. Practically this is not followed and Vizagites continue to suffer the fugitive dust. Just wipe the floor in your house - particularly if your in the beach road, and you will find fine deposits of coal - and this is PM10 - the larger particles. For the PM 2.5 particles you need to go deeper into yourself - literally into your lungs and see the damage caused over the years. The Port has been corresponding with the APPCB for approving chemical spraying on their coal stacks for over two years - a practice followed in all developed countries and considered a best practice as it not only prevents fugitive dust by forming a crust but also in avoiding coal water leaching into the ground water table. 

Apparently writing to the highest levels in the APPCB and the Government has not helped Vizag Port in the getting the approval and the citizens are the sufferers.

GVMC and the APPCB must provide additional monitoring stations all over the city to identify critical locations which need specific measures including restrictions in traffic density. Do we need to reach the state of Delhi and a rap from the NGT to wake up from our slumber?

https://beta.co.id/en/blog/how-to-manage-dust-on-coal-stacks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjJaNAKmEs8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1R8FyXxF-4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIlE9sRip-4

https://momar.com/item/20365/cementrol_65

https://benetechglobal.com/products/dust-suppression/


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Not letting the Dead Rest in Peace

Image
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...
Read more

Vizag Masterplan review-l

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.
Read more