Industries launch green drives, organise workshops

VPT distributes 10,000 jute bags at rythu bazaars, HPCL Visakh Refinery holds free PUC certification for two-wheelers

Industries in the city observed World Environment Day with a resolve to spread awareness on Tuesday.

Visakhapatnam Port Trust distributed 10,000 jute bags worth ₹7 lakh at rythu bazaars in the city to avoid usage of polythene bags. The port also planted 1,000 saplings worth ₹8.5 lakh near Central Fire Station. The port will contribute subsidy of ₹20 on each jute bag. This will be used for purchase of new bags. VPT Chairman M.T. Krishna Babu said by reducing plastic usage, global warming could be reduced to a maximum extent. He elaborated on steps taken to reduce air pollution and the role of dedicated environment team to bring about tremendous improvement in port environment.

Green awards

Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited distributed green awards to 102 employees in recognition of their contribution for betterment of environment. Prizes were given away to the winners of various competitions held in connection with the World Environment Day. RINL in-charge CMD Prabir Raychaudhury and Joint Chief Environmental Engineer of APPCB N.V. Bhaskar Rao addressed the gathering.

Mr. Bhaskar Rao underlined the need to restrict use of plastics to conserve environment for a better life and asked big industries like RINL take the lead in campaigning against plastic pollution. Mr. Raychaudhury spoke at length on the commitment of Vizag Steel towards environment. and said that RINL had been attaching high importance to clean and green surrounding right from its inception.

HPCL Visakh Refinery conducted pollution under control (PUC) certification for two wheelers at HP Millennium Classic Petrol Bunk at Malkapuram to create awareness on controlling vehicular emissions, enlightening sessions on reducing and handling waste with interactive thought sharing and theme-based games as part of a workshop conducted at HP Waltair Park. A beach cleaning drive along with APPCB and a walkathon from RK beach to YMCA were also organised. Twenty thousand cloth bags were distributed at rythu bazaars.

Executive Director G.S. Prasad Sarma explained the importance of environmental protection . Gangavaram Port initiated a drive to plant 35,000 saplings.