Industrial pollution in Visakhapatnam and its surrounding industrial belt has come under renewed scrutiny after the Greater Visakhapatnam Citizens’ Forum and the Human Rights Forum demanded an independent audit of alleged violations, along with stricter action against repeat offenders.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, GVCF president Sohan Hattangadi and HRF AP and Telangana Coordination Committee member V.S. Krishna questioned the effectiveness of enforcement measures taken by the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board. The organisations said repeated inspections, notices and monetary penalties had not deterred several industries and commercial establishments from violating environmental norms.
The groups called for an independent assessment of air, water and soil quality in Visakhapatnam and its industrial belt. They also sought a scientific study into the impact of pollution on the health of local residents, placing public-health assessment alongside regulatory compliance as a central part of their demand.
The organisations said inspection and enforcement information should be made available to the public. They specifically sought disclosure of inspection reports, details of violations detected, penalties imposed and the extent to which industries had complied with corrective measures. The demand would place greater emphasis on transparency around the actions taken by regulators and the response of individual units.
GVCF and HRF also demanded the suspension of operations and closure of units found to be repeatedly violating environmental regulations. Their statement did not identify specific industries or establishments, and the allegations against repeat offenders were presented as part of the organisations’ broader criticism of the existing enforcement system.
The demand comes ahead of the CII Partnership Summit scheduled to be held in Visakhapatnam on November 12 and 13. The organisations said efforts to attract investment to the city should be accompanied by measures to protect the environment and public health. Their intervention links the city’s investment ambitions with the regulatory responsibilities associated with its industrial belt.
The groups further called for accountability for regulatory lapses and said industries responsible for pollution should bear the cost of environmental restoration. According to the joint statement, monetary penalties alone were insufficient to ensure compliance with environmental norms.
The demands place the focus on three immediate questions: whether pollution levels are being independently assessed across air, water and soil; whether inspection and penalty records are publicly accessible; and whether repeat violations are followed by stronger operational action. The statement did not include a response from the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board or the industries referred to by the organisations. Further official action would determine whether the requested audit, disclosures and enforcement measures are taken up.
