State approves Visakhapatnam civic body's plan to boost air quality

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation's (GVMC) revised annual development plan of Rs 73 crore to boost air quality has received approval from the state government. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has found 13 cities and towns in Andhra Pradesh as non-attainment cities for not meeting the standard of national ambient air quality. These cities should develop suitable action plans aimed at reducing the air pollution levels to the prescribed norms. The action plan will indicate steps to be taken to check various sources of pollution having speedy, clear timelines for execution. As per the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission, the Union government sanctioned Rs 73 crore to the GVMC to improve the air quality in Vizag city. While Rs 36.5 crore would be used for air quality improvement measures including capacity building, the remaining Rs 36.5 crore would be used for solid waste management development. The GVMC has already got approvals for seven works of Rs 31.2 crore. The state government about two weeks ago gave its nod for the remaining five works, costing Rs 41.8 crore. The entire Visakhapatnam city lies within two main hill ranges, that is, Yarada and Adavivaram. These two hill ranges lead to a temperature inversion, particularly during the winter season. Due to rapid urbanisation and industrialisation in the city rose from 7.52 to about 22 lakh. Over the last two decades, the vehicular population has risen from 74,000 to 14 lakh. In addition to industrial pollution, re-suspension of road dust, construction activities, vehicular activities, and municipal solid waste is also ambient air pollution in the city. Image Source Also read: Drones to monitor Ganga pollution in Uttar Pradesh Also read: Coal plant pollution can lead to 8,300 deaths in India