TDP State President Palla Srinivasa Rao called for permanent pollution control measures, including green belts and stricter coal transport norms, to balance industrial growth with public health.
Visakhapatnam: TDP State President and Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao on Friday called for permanent and scientific pollution-control measures in Visakhapatnam, stressing that industrial development must go hand in hand with environmental protection and public health.
Speaking at a high-level review meeting convened by the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board at the District Collectorate, Palla said industries should regard environmental stewardship as a core responsibility rather than merely a regulatory requirement. The meeting was attended by Visakhapatnam MP M. Sri Bharath, MLA P. Vishnu Kumar Raju, District Collector Abhishek Kishore, senior Pollution Control Board officials and representatives of 18 major industries.
Palla said concerns over coal dust emissions and industrial pollution in the port city deserved immediate and long-term attention. While acknowledging Visakhapatnam's emergence as a leading industrial and maritime hub, he said economic growth should not come at the expense of environmental sustainability.
He advocated permanent structural solutions instead of temporary measures such as covering coal stockpiles with tarpaulin sheets. Recommending long-term safeguards, Palla urged industries to develop extensive green belts in proportion to their land holdings and construct boundary walls of at least 20 feet to minimise the spread of coal dust and airborne particulate matter into nearby residential areas.
The TDP leader also sought stricter enforcement of coal transportation regulations. He said overloaded trucks and improperly covered vehicles contribute to pollution, road hazards and material spillage. He urged authorities to ensure that coal-laden vehicles operate within permitted load limits and remain fully covered with green tarpaulin sheets throughout transit, warning that strict action should be taken against violators.
Emphasising corporate responsibility, Palla said industries must proactively protect the environment and the health of surrounding communities. He reiterated that while industrial investment and employment generation remain vital for Visakhapatnam's growth, clean air and a healthy environment are equally essential for sustainable development.
Pollution Control Board officials directed industries to implement prescribed pollution-control measures within stipulated timelines. Palla concluded by calling for coordinated efforts between the government, industries and citizens to make Visakhapatnam a model city for sustainable industrial development.
