In a decisive move to combat deteriorating air quality, multiple government agencies in Visakhapatnam have launched a rigorous enforcement drive over the past two weeks. The coordinated action has resulted in hefty penalties for industries and vehicles flouting pollution norms.
Multi-Department Inspections Yield Strict Penalties
The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) has taken a stern stance against industrial polluters. Following field inspections that commenced on December 21, the board issued notices to several major industries for exceeding permissible pollution standards. The financial repercussion was significant, with environmental compensation totaling approximately ₹10 crore imposed on the violators.
Simultaneously, the transport department was active on the roads, targeting vehicular pollution. Officials booked a total of 159 e-challans for various offences including overloading, absence of valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates, and transporting uncovered loads. The penalties from this drive amounted to ₹17.54 lakh.
Major Industries and Facilities Under Scanner
The APPCB's inspection sweep was comprehensive, covering key industrial players in and around the port city. The list of facilities inspected includes:
- Visakhapatnam Port Authority
- HPCL Visakh refinery
- Coromandel International
- AMNS iron ore pellet plant
- RINL Vizag steel plant
- Hinduja thermal power plant
- Rain CII Carbon
- Vizag Sea Port, AMNS terminal, and Vizag general cargo berth
These inspections involved teams from the APPCB, district public transport office, deputy transport commissioner, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), and the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC).
Monitoring, Training, and Ground-Level Actions
P Venkata Mukunda Rao, an Environmental Engineer with the APPCB, detailed the measures undertaken. Ambient air quality was monitored both manually and using a mobile monitoring bus, with calibration systems verified for accuracy. Continuous data transmission was ensured for real-time tracking.
"Seven notices were issued to industries for exceeding standards," Rao stated. He added that the road transport department rigorously penalised overloaded vehicles and those without valid PUC certificates. The Andhra Pradesh Public Transport Department (APPTD) also inspected all district buses, identifying and rectifying minor defects in 10 buses on the spot.
To foster long-term compliance, drivers and mechanical staff received special training and awareness briefings focused on pollution mitigation strategies.
Municipal and Infrastructure Corporation's Role
The GVMC played a crucial role in the city-wide effort, deploying 10 dedicated enforcement teams to tackle air pollution violations. While the public health section took action on identified issues, the engineering section kept a close watch on ongoing compliance.
On another front, the APIIC contributed by ensuring regular sweeping and water sprinkling on internal roads within industrial zones to suppress dust. In a related check, the legal metrology department inspected petrol bunks across the city and confirmed that fuel deliveries were within the prescribed tolerance limits.
This large-scale, inter-departmental initiative underscores the administration's serious approach to addressing Visakhapatnam's air quality concerns. The combination of substantial fines, constant monitoring, and corrective training aims to create a sustainable impact on the city's environmental health.
