The soccer stadium-type wall built in the Visakhapatnam Port area will be extended to the periphery area from Sea Horse to Convent Junction. The 7.5-metre-high structure will have a four-metre screen above it with sprinkler system attached to prevent dust pollution.
After public outcry over spread of dust particles due to coal and iron ore handling, the authorities built the soccer stadium-type structure in an area of 1.5 km.
Now, a similar wall is being built stretching over four-km with a facility for mist-type environment so as to ensure small, uniformly dispersed water droplets that seem to float in air like fog to arrest flying of dust particles to the residential areas.
“We are spending Rs.15 crore for extension of the compound wall. We are also reviewing the entire pollution control apparatus by engaging a consultant of international repute. Road maintenance is also being improved, apart from creating two centralised stacking areas,” Visakhapatnam Port Chairman M.T. Krishna Babu told The Hindu .
The board has cleared the pollution control measures for implementation immediately at a cost of Rs.60 crore.
Mechanised environmentMr. Krishna Babu said they would ensure handling of 90 per cent of coal in a mechanised environment within a year so as to remove the “dirty port” tag attached to the VPT.
Two centralised stacking areas in an area of 50 to 60 acres are being developed.
Vedanta and Adani berths, which were developed under BOT, have mechanical dust-suppression system (MDS) and sprinklers. SEW berth (EQ-1 A) will also be commissioned in a year.
A sum of Rs.44 crore will be spent for strengthening and maintaining roads by engaging a private operator. The job, which involves roads of a total length of 24 km, will be given to the operator for repairs and maintenance for four years.
Work will commence in November and it is scheduled to be completed by June 2015.
