Visakhapatnam among most polluted cities in India
Visakhapatnam- Pollution in Visakhapatnam has crossed all limits. It is now among one of the top 10 most polluted cities in the country. There was a time six to seven decades ago, when this place was considered as ideal for living.
Now, the city is facing all kinds of pollution like air, water, plastic and the latest one added to this is the electronic waste (e-waste). In 1940, the population of the city was one lakh which has increased to 20 lakhs now. In 1970, the number of vehicles in the city were 30,000 which has increased to 5.5 lakh.
However, there is also a rapid development in the city which gives it the title of the second fastest ‘emerging city’ in India. But this industrial growth is also increasing air pollution along with increasing number of vehicles on the road.
Major industries like Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT), Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, Coromandel Fertiliser and HPCL throw their poisonous fumes and chemicals in the city. The General Cargo Berth of VPT has contributed a lot in air pollution. Along with this, now the residents of Kotaveedhi, Soldierpet and Gannapuram have to face even more iron ore dust pollution.
People in some areas are suffering from variety of gastro and lung diseases. Some local people believe that the growth of industries initiated in a random manner. There was lack of planning which resulted in setting up of industries on every vacant properties in Visakhapatnam near human habitats.
Along with air pollution the drinking water is also polluted by the scraps of heavy metals in the areas like Old Town, Mindhi and Gajuwaka. Plastic and polythene bags dumped are consumed by cattle, dogs, riddley turles. Very soon, e-waste will also pollute the city with increasing number of software companies, corporate offices and schools.
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