Centre assures check on Vizag port pollution
BJP MP suggests need for large-scale construction of covered storage space for bulk cargo
Visakhapatnam: BJP MP and spokesman G V L Narasimha Rao has informed Union Minister for Ports and Shipping Sarbananda Sonowal on the need for large-scale construction of covered storage space for bulk cargo at Visakhapatnam Port to control pollution caused by emission of fugitive dust from all coking coal, steam coal and other operations.
After meeting him, the MP said the Minister has promised to take firm action to keep pollution at bare minimum.
In a letter addressed to the Union Minister, Rao mentioned that the habitation around the port has grown exponentially over the decades and covered storage infrastructure needs to be created to handle bulk cargo within covered sheds to minimize emission of the fugitive dust.
Stating that the construction of sheds is an expensive proposition, the MP suggested that the proposed investment be made by the Central government under Sagar Mala project and recoup investment by collecting user charges from the users to recover such capital investments over a longer period.
He emphasized the need to draw up a time-bound action plan to bring all coking coal and steam coal operations under covered sheds to arrest the emission of fugitive dust.
Acknowledging the covered storage infrastructure under development, the MP stated that scale of covered storage needs to be much bigger. The port needs state-of-the-art stacker reclaimers or wagon loading systems.
Highlighting issues of public health concerns and sustainability of port operations, he urged the Union Minister to sanction provision of large and well equipped cover storage sheds in the near future. Rao stated that positive interventions in this regard will improve Visakhapatnam port's operations and improve the quality of life of citizens of Visakhapatnam.
After meeting the Union Minister, the MP informed that the Union Minister Sonowal observed that pollution-free port operations is the priority of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and thus promised to act upon the suggestions made by him.