APPCB to divert heavy vehicles from Vizag port, steel plants to curb pollution

Vehicles move in a haze of dust and emissions on the highway leading to Gajuwaka in Visakhapatnam. | Photo credit: IN PARADISE

The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) along with the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) will undertake the diversion of heavy vehicular traffic from Gangavaram port and steel mills passing through Gajuwaka, APPCB Chairman P. Krishnaiah said.

He was responding to issues raised by the Greater Visakhapatnam Citizens’ Forum (GVCF) in a video conference held recently on air pollution control, air quality monitoring and pollution from port and industrial activities. GVCF President Sohan Hatangadi and Secretary Captain N. Viswanathan attended the meeting.

Mr. Krishnaiah said the city has eight manual air quality monitoring stations and three continuous air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS). Five monitoring stations based on IoT sensors will be made available by November, he said.

About 40% of the required mechanization work at the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) has been completed, he said. If the remaining works were not completed, the matter would be examined for appropriate action at the next renewal of the VPA’s consent to operate. He directed the officials to ensure compliance and instruct the VPA to use chemicals approved as per Central Pollution Control Board guidelines.

Regional officials said the trucks were covered with tarps and water was sprinkled on the ground using sprinklers to prevent dust.

Mr. Krishnaiah also responded favorably to the proposal to extend the National Green Tribunal guidelines applicable to Visakhapatnam Port to Gangavaram Port. APPCB would also take up with GVMC a proposal for low-cost dust monitors at construction and demolition sites.

The GVCF also highlighted the need for faster integration of the new CAAQMS at Harbor Park and Siripuram with the CPCB website, public access to industry CAAQMS data and publication of the latest Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index score and resource allocation study conducted by Andhra University. The forum said it would follow up with the agencies concerned.

Published – 1 October 2026 23:47 IST