The Visakhapatnam port has been urged to take all steps to mechanise and modernise its facilities so that pollution is eliminated and the citizens of the port city can lead happy and healthy lives.
The plea was made by several individuals and associations at a public hearing organised by the AP Pollution Control Board on Wednesday in the port on the construction of two more berths at a cost of Rs 636 crore. The projects were awarded to private companies on a design, build, finance, operate and transfer basis.
Mr Ramachandra Rao, the Chief Engineer, said the construction of the two berths, would reduce pollution and the port was also constructing a wall to curb pollution arising out of handling bulk cargoes such as iron ore, coal and fertilisers.
He said the port would spend Rs 12 crore on the wall project.
Sprinkler systems had also been set up at a cost of Rs 8 crore to check coal dust pollution and plantations were being taken up at a cost of Rs 50 lakh in the port area. All these steps would minimise pollution, he said.
Mr P. Ch. Appa Rao, the president of the AP Mechanised Boat Owners’ Association, said the port should build a TB hospital in the town area to treat people suffering from respiratory problems caused by pollution in the port.
Mr T. Shankar, the representative of a fishermen’s organisation, and several others said the port should be more mindful of public health and hygiene and should take all steps to check pollution.
Mr P. Bhaskar, the Joint Collector, presided over the hearing.
The plea was made by several individuals and associations at a public hearing organised by the AP Pollution Control Board on Wednesday in the port on the construction of two more berths at a cost of Rs 636 crore. The projects were awarded to private companies on a design, build, finance, operate and transfer basis.
Mr Ramachandra Rao, the Chief Engineer, said the construction of the two berths, would reduce pollution and the port was also constructing a wall to curb pollution arising out of handling bulk cargoes such as iron ore, coal and fertilisers.
He said the port would spend Rs 12 crore on the wall project.
Sprinkler systems had also been set up at a cost of Rs 8 crore to check coal dust pollution and plantations were being taken up at a cost of Rs 50 lakh in the port area. All these steps would minimise pollution, he said.
Mr P. Ch. Appa Rao, the president of the AP Mechanised Boat Owners’ Association, said the port should build a TB hospital in the town area to treat people suffering from respiratory problems caused by pollution in the port.
Mr T. Shankar, the representative of a fishermen’s organisation, and several others said the port should be more mindful of public health and hygiene and should take all steps to check pollution.
Mr P. Bhaskar, the Joint Collector, presided over the hearing.