Visakhapatnam Port Trust will build a soccer-stadium like structure all around the port area so that there is no dust dispersion which has been causing enormous air pollution in the city.
Union Minister of State for Environment Jairam Ramesh on Monday extracted an assurance from VPT Chairman Ajeya Kallam on the completion of infrastructure to contain air pollution arising out of iron ore, coal and fertilizer bulk cargo being handled by the port.
The VPT Chairman was summoned by the Union Minister to the venue of National Public Consultation of National Mission for a ‘Green India' sponsored by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
Mr. Kallam promised to get all works related to sealing the port area with a 21-foot wall and another 15 feet of FRM sheets over that in 45-degree angle like a soccer stadium to arrest powdery goods from flying out.
“While a sealed pipeline conveyor will carry iron ore, 13 consultants had been employed to study the project. Under PPP system a Rs.450-crore bid was finalised for mechanisation of outer harbour and general cargo berth with Sterlite Group for containing pollution in coal area, while bids were floated for fertilizer area valued at Rs.220 crore for which none had come forward,” he announced.
The Union Minister directed the port, GVMC and VUDA to take upon them to greening the city by planting additional number of trees. He also asked the VPT Chairman to ensure all the projects related to containing pollution were completed within the stipulated time of 24 months and stop all movement of trucks from the port area by then.
Bio-reserve
Non-Governmental Organisation Samata representative Srinivas raised the issue of declaration of some areas in Chintapalli as Biosphere Reserve, to which Mr. Jairam Ramesh said his Ministry had asked the State Government nine months ago to declare Seshachalam and Chintapalli as bio-reserves, and hoped it would materialise soon.
Among others, who represented issues to the Minister included Singamsetty Bhujangarao on shore-based polluting industries, fishermen's representatives Arjilli Das, and Theddu Shankar.
