Date:21/03/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/03/21/stories/2005032101540200.htm

Back Environmental study of Vizag on the cards

Our Bureau

Visakhapatnam , March 20

A COMPREHENSIVE study of the Visakhapatnam area is to be taken up soon by various Government agencies and industries "to provide a sound and scientific basis for obtaining environmental clearances and setting of industries," according to Mr S.V. Prasad, Director-General of the Environment Protection, Training and Research Institute.

He was speaking at a seminar organised by the institute here on Friday on sustainable industrial development in Visakhapatnam. He said such a study had become necessary, as Visakhapatnam had been included in the list of "hot spots" by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests from a pollution angle.

He said the data would be updated and employing standard methodologies environment in Visakhapatnam area would be studied.

It would facilitate easier, faster and assured clearances at minimum costs.

Mr L.V. Subrahmanyam, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), said there were many misconceptions about Visakhapatnam being declared as a hot spot by the Union Ministry of Environment.

"In fact, only the Vizag bowl areas has been declared a hot spot and even here there has been a lot of improvement of late. The level of emissions has come down. The data would have to be upgraded and updated," he said.

He pointed out that Visakhapatnam did not mean only the core urban area, but a vast region covering 73 mandals. This coastal corridor had great potential for industrial development and attracting foreign investment, he said.

Mr Rajeswari Tiwari, member-secretary, Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board, said the pharma city at Parawada in Visakhapatnam had recently got the environmental clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment.

He said that in dealing with environmental issues democratic norms alone would yield sustainable, long-term results. "While trying to emulate the Chinese and others in attracting foreign investment, we should not give up our democratic values," he said.