Industrial Development in Visakhapatnam
——Industrial development in Visakhapatnam is conspicuous to urban agglomeration and the city is located in a topographical bowl formed by two-hill ranges. A major portion of the city is within the bowl area wherein most of the industrial and commercial activities are existing and lies within a distance of 10 km from the shore of the Bay of Bengal. Due to the peculiar geographic location of city, wind movement is either eastern or western and is engulfed within the hill ranges. Hence, there is a possibility of buildup of air pollution levels within the city.Due to gravity of prevailing situation, air quality status of Visakhapatnam on indices basis is analyzed using a non-linear equation for variable parameters i.e. Suspended particulate matter (SPM), Sulfur dioxide(SO2) and Oxides of nitrogen (NOx), which are main criteria pollutants in India. For current analysis seasonal air quality data is used, which indicates SPM values in winter at most of the sites and in summer at few sites are exceeding the prescribed standards.Calculated indices reveal that, in winter as well as in summer, most of the locations experienced poor or bad air quality, which is mainly due to higher concentration of SPM and certain extent of SO2 values. Application of Oak Ridge Air Quality Index (ORAQI) type equations (non-linear) are helpful for air quality management plan in the region on long term basis and it has been also observed that there are certain lapses of weightage assignment for individual pollutant in application.
—–Dirty cargo: A file photo shows dumping of coal and iron ore in open area at the Visakhapatnam Port. This is causing pollution in densely populated neighbouring areas. Despite watering to prevent dust pollution by the port, the raw materials used by various industries spread due to heavy winds. —
Visakhapatnam is facing a grave problem of air pollution, with coal dust and other pollutants getting diffused in the atmosphere because of the “dirty cargo” such as coking coal and thermal coal being handled at the Visakhapatnam port. The problem, though not a new one, seems to have assumed alarming proportions of late.
Previously, the problem was limited to certain areas in the vicinity of the port and due to hue and cry raised by the public and activists, some pollution control measures were undertaken by the port authorities such as water sprinkling in the coal and iron ore stacking yards. But these measures have not produced the desired results.
According to the AP Pollution Control Board sources, the problem has assumed greater severity this summer to unusually high wind speeds leading to faster and wider diffusion of coal dust and other pollutants, affecting more areas. The sources have said the port authorities have been apprised of the problem and instructed to take suitable measures to curb the pollution emanating from the port.
—–The Environmental Impact