Pollution Cannot Be Prevented, Only Regulated: Deputy Chief Minister of AP

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Friday underscored that while industries play a crucial role in the State’s economic progress, development should not come at the cost of public health. He said that although pollution cannot be eliminated entirely, it can be effectively controlled through the use of advanced technology.

Addressing a meeting with industrial representatives from areas around Visakhapatnam at a private hotel in the city, organised under the aegis of the Pollution Control Board (PCB) , the Deputy Chief Minister stressed that industries must strictly adhere to PCB norms, especially in industrial zones. He issued clear directions on pollution-control measures to be taken from port areas to industrial corridors.

Alarming situation in North Andhra

Expressing concern over the deteriorating air quality in the North Andhra coastal region, Pawan Kalyan said that despite development over the past few years, environmental conditions had worsened significantly. He pointed out that areas such as Tadi village in the Parawada industrial zone were witnessing alarming conditions.

He said reports had reached him i ndicating rising cancer cases, skin diseases among children and increasing miscarriages among women in villages affected by pollution from chemical industries . These issues, he stressed, must be addressed with a humane and responsible approach.

Growing public insecurity

The Deputy Chief Minister noted that a strong perception had taken root among the public that industries were not complying with environmental regulations. He referred to criticism that North Andhra was being turned into a “dumping yard” for various forms of pollution.

He emphasised that people should not live in fear that industrial growth would endanger their lives, and urged industry managements to act responsibly towards local communities. Proper waste management using modern technology, he said, was essential to improve the living standards of the people in surrounding areas.

‘Great Green Wall’ initiative

As part of environmental conservation efforts, Pawan Kalyan announced that the State government would launch an ambitious ‘Great Green Wall’ project. He explained that the initiative aims to create a green protective barrier by developing plantations across three buffer zones, each five kilometres wide, along the State’s 970-km coastline .

He reiterated that every industry must strictly maintain a minimum 33 per cent green belt within its premises and called upon industrialists and employees to actively participate in this large-scale environmental initiative.