Hyderabad, Jan. 3: Visakhapatnam overtook Patancheru and Bolarum as the most industrially polluted cluster in the state as per the Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index (Cepi).
The comprehensive environmental assessment of industrial clusters was conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board and the state pollution control boards in 88 clusters across the country, including five in the state.
Cepi, also an indicator of industrial activity, is a warning tool which helps in categorising industrial clusters and areas needing attention.
Out of 88 industrial areas, 43 are critically polluted in the country including Visakhapatnam and Patancheru-Bolarum. Cepi is calculated based on polluter, pathway and receptor.
Vijayawada has high Cepi levels than Kattedan and Kukatpally industrial clusters. Toxicity tests are conducted on people within a range of 2 km from industrial pollution source.
While Visakhapatnam recorded a Cepi level of 70.82, Ankleshwar in Gujarat tops the country with 88.6. Patancheru-Bolarum, which found a place in international pollution reports several times, has a Cepi level of 70.07.
Areas having Cepi between 60 and 70 are considered severely polluted. and above 70 is considered as critically-polluted. Vijayawada industrial areas recorded 60.57 Cepi while Kathedan and Kukatpally recorded 57.73 and 56.6 respectively.
Officials said both critically polluted and severely polluted areas are to be kept under tight surveillance and pollution control measures should be efficiently implemented.
The chief conservator of forests (environment), Mr P. Raghuveer, said, “Increasing numbers of pharmaceutical companies in Visakhapatnam and its adjacent areas have led to the situation. Untreated effluents coming out of industries are causing water pollution. We will have to study in depth to asses the situation.”
Critically polluted areas need investigation in terms of the extent of damage and remedial action plan.
Source :: http://www.deccanchronicle.com/hyderabad/vizag-tops-pollution-table-229
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