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R. LAKSHMI NARAYANA

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER

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ANDHRA PRADESH POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD

REGIONAL OFFICE, VISAKHAPATNAMMain Road, Madhavadhara Vuda Colony,

VISAKHAPATNAM _ 530 O1B

Ph:0891 - 2755356

Lr. No. 1OO8'PCB .RO-VSP 1015- tlt +-*

To

The Director, IA (IIIMinistry of Enyxo{ment and Forests,

Paryav a7r{navan, CGO 9o*Plex, Lodhi

Ne*z6ihi - 1to oo3. .,-,{

RO, VSP - M/s. Visakhapatnam Poft Trust, Visakhapatnam -'l?9,::u'ization of existing facility and addition of new facilities entailing capacity

mental public Hearing conducted on 10.04.2015 Minutes of?

mental Public Hearing - submitted - Reg.

Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India, EIA Notification vide

S.O.No. 1533 dt. 14.09.2006.

TORs issued by MiniStry of Environment & Forests, Government of India' vide

Lr. No. F. No.11-93120L2-I .lll, dated 06'05'2014'

Request of M/s visakhapatnam Port Trust, Visakhapatnam vide letter dated

28.02.20t5 furnishing draft EfA report, Executive summary in English & Telugu-

to conduct EnvironmEnial public consultation for the proposed modernization.of

existing facility and addition of new facilities entailing capacity'

Note orde;s of the collector & District Magistrate, Visakhapatnam to conduct

Environmental Public Consultation dated 04' 03' 2015'

5. Ratified orders of the Member secretary, A.P. Pollution control Board'

. HYderabad dated 05.03.2015'

6. Public Hearing notification published in the news papers i'e' in "Eeenadu (Local

,"rnu.ri"i'll"*t pape0 & t'Th" Hindu" (National English News Paper) on

09.03.2015

It is submitted that M/s. Visakhapatnam Poft Trust, Visakhapatnam vid-e 3'd cited

requested A.P. Pollut'ron Control Board, Regional Off,i9e, Visakhapatnam to Conduct of

Environmentar pubric hearing for the proposed -modernization

of existing facirity_and addition of

new facilities entailing .upulity with an estimated project cost of Rs'2569'0 Cr (Rupees Two

thousand five hundred and sixty nine Crores only)'

Accordingly, after obtaining. the approval of the collector & District Magistrate'

Visakhapatnam vide';;f"*;;; +',n fit"a and rhe subsequent ratification by the Member

Secretary, A.P. Pollution Control Board vide reference 5th cited, this office conducted the

Environmental Public Hearing on 10.04,2015 near Visakhapatnam Port Trust Administrative

Office Building, Visakhapatnam Port Trust, Visakhapatnam' The loint Collector & Additional

District Magistrate, Visakhapatnu, ,up"rised the proceedings of the Environmental Public

Hearing inviting concerns of the local affected persons'

The minutes of the Environmental public Hearing in English & Telugu are herewith

submitted along with the following enclosures: .

a.Audio&VideoCDofthePublicHearingproceedingsl-b. The attendance of all those who were preseni at the venue of the Public

Hearing.c. Statem-ents of the representations received before and during Public Hearing

submitted for kind information and further necessary action.

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EAR VISAKHAPATNAM PORT TRUST ADMINISTRATIVE

OFFICE BUILDING,VISAKHAPATNAM PORT TRUST,VISAKHAPATNAM.

PANEL MEMBERS PRESENT:

1 Sri J, Nivas, f .A. S"

Joint Collector& Addl, District Magistrate,

Visakhapatnam,

2 Sri, R, Lakshmi Narayana,

Environmental Engineer, APPCB,

Regional Office, Visakhapatnam,

Chairman

*

".

Member

At the outset, while welcoming the gathering, the Environmental Engineer explained the

features of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, EIA Notification dated

L410912006. He stated that the Environmental Public Hearing was being conducted in connection

with the proposed modernization of existing facility and addition of new facilities entailing capacity

with the investment of Rs.2569.0 Cr. by M/s, Visakhapatnam Poft Trust, Visakhapatnam. According

to EIA Notification, Environmental Public hearing is mandatory for getting Environmental Clearance

from Ministry of Environment & Forests, Gbvt. of India for Port expansion and modernization

projects . He further informed that Environmental public hearing is being conducted under the

cliairmanship of the District Joint Collector & Addl. District Magistrate and assisted by the A.P.

Pollution Control Board officials. He informed that the public hearing press notifications were issued

on 0910312015 for public hearing to be held on 1,OlO4l2OL5 in two newspapers i.e., "Eenadu"

(Telugu Daily) and "The Hindu" (English Daily) with project details for inviting suggestions, views,

comments and objections from the public. The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) reports and

Executive Summaries in Telugu and English were displayed at the respective offices as mentioned in

tlre Public Hearing notification dated OglO3]2OL5. He also informed that the management of VPT

would explain in detail about their proposals, Pollution Control Measures etc, The people can

express their opinions/objections etc., which would be recorded, summarized and forwarded to the

ffi

MoEF, New Delhi for taking necessary action. He informed that B nos. of

opinions were received from various organizations. He requested the

written representations/

District Joint Collector &

Addl' District Magistrate & chairman of Public Hearing to preside over the public hearing to conduct

further proceedings.

. The Joint collector & Addl' District Magistrate, visakhapatnam as chairman of the public

hearing welcomed the representatives of public, press representatives, Goy:. officials and the

management of VPT who have attended for the public hearing and further informed that M/s. VpT

has proposed modernization of existing facility and addition of new facilities entailing capacity with

the investment of Rs.2569.0 cr. and further proponent has applied for Environmental clearance for

the project for which public opinion would be taken into consideration while issuing the clearance.

For this reason, the present public hearing was being conducted to obtain views, suggestions,

opinions and objections-from the public on the proposed project from environmental point of view.

He requested the representatives of the industry to explain the salient features of the project with

specific reference to the impacts on environment and its management and pollution control

measures, He requested the public to express their opinions, objections freely if any from

environmental point of view so that the same would be recorded in the minutes and forwarded to

MoEF, New Delhi for taking into consideration while examining the issual of Environmental

Clearance,

sri r' Krishna Babu, I.A.s, chairman- VPT, while welcoming the public, informed the following about

the project:

a) Visakhapatnam city is popularly known as Port city and port activities are the back bone of the

city development.

tr) About 2A,000 people are getting employment directly and

indirect employnnent.

another 2A,000 pecple are getting

c) The city develcped frcm smali village t* 2.il Milllcn Metro

a ctivrlies.

P*iitian city due ta the port

d) Not only the people residing in and around surroundings of Port and also the people working

in the Poft are also hoping that dust pollution should be reduced to considerable levels.

e) Visakhapatnam Port Trust stood in 1't place in india for cargo handling for the year 2007-

2008 and in that year the port has handled about 68.0 MMTPA cargo in mostly un-

mechanized method leading to pollution problems on the surrounding habitat, keeping in

these pollution problems into consideration, the present modernization and expansion project

is taken up and focusing mainly complete mechanization methods to haqdle dusty cargo on

PPT Basis rather than increasing the capacity of Cargo.

D The Port has already developed existing 6 nos, of projects with mechanization with an

investment of Rs. 2500 Cr and informed that due to which no additional profit to the pot but

pollution problems are reduced to some extent.

g) The Port is planning to take permanent measures to curb the pollution problems and at

present the following three proposals were made

1) Extension of container terminal: the Project envisages predominant rail evacuation of

the cargo from the terminal in closed containers would reduce open handling of cargo and

truck movement leading to considerable reduction in pollution levels. These methods are

already in use in Singapore, Dubai, Hongkong and Colombo cities and leading an example

of free of pollution.

2) Modernization of Iron

envisages upgradation of

investment of Rs,850.0

equipment which results in

ore handling complex and WQ-l Berth: The proiect

existing mechanized systems handling mechanism with an

Cr. by replacing the existing equipment with state of art

considerable reduction of pollution levels.

3) Mechanization of WQ-7 & WQ-8 berths: The project envisages mechanization

existing handling mechanism by replacing the existing equipment with state of

equipment which results in considerable reduction of pollution levels.

of

art

h) Apart from the above proposals, it is proposed to constitute a technical committee on

monitoring and management plan (EMMP) and hand holding support for establishing

management frame work reviewed system for Port project environment monitoring for VPT by

ASCI, Hyderabad and assessessment effectness of existing air pollution management, plan of

VPT/PPP operators through JNTU-Kakinada and renowned environmentalists to take their

suggestions , opinions and remedial measures to curb the pollution problems effectively with

an financial budget of Rs. 150.0 Cr in coming three years. - ,l

i) It is also planned to re-locate and re-organize the existing coal stack yards close to the

interface of the city.

j) It is also strictly ensured that the coal stacking would be properly covered with tarpaulins,

water sprinkling on roads, regular road sweeping and proper truck-tyre washing system.

Finally he stated that the Port proposed and will ensure io take all pollution control measures to

mitigate the pollution problems to avoid any adverse impact on the surrounding environment and

urged the public to co-operate with the Port in its modernization and development.

The District Joint Collector & Addl. District Magistrate,

hearing requested the public to express their opinions,

environment point of view about the proposed project.

Public Views:

Visakhapatnam as Chairman of the Public

suggestions and objections freely in the

1. Sri J.T.RamaRao, Uttharandhra Ikya Vedika, expressed that he is not against the

modernization and expansion of the Port but questioned the implementation of the dust

pollution control measures so far. He also raised concern about dust pollution problems

facing by the residents of Kotaveedhi and Gnanapuram areas. He informed that RK Beach is

regularly getting eroded due to port dreciging activities and in every day, the adverse news

is publishing about port poliution but no remediai measures are taken up so far. People

residing in and around areas of Poft are regularly visiting the hospitals suffering from

different diseases due to port pollution ancl hence opined that he vnyould not accept the

expansion proposal of pc,ri,Jr,ip55 tl:e po!lulion problenrs comes to.lero level,

- 2. Sri Paka Satya Narayana, Backward Rights society, expressed that he is not against

the modernization of the Port, but the health of the people should be given priority along

with development of the port. He expressed concerns regarding in adequate and drainage

system, people are suffering with kidney and other diseases. He finally opined that the Port

should take up the project after addressing the health issues of the people residing in the

3, Sri Mohamed Sadhik, President, Yuva

proposed expansion with an investment of

allocation of funds proposed to be spent on

mentioned and informed to the public.

Bharat Force, informed *that the port has

Rs, 3000 Cr and out of that, the budget" for

pollution control measures should have been

4. Sri Alikhan, One-Town Area, expressed that there was no progress in the pollution

problems for the last 20 years, though the port is taking dust pollution control measures.

Health of all kinds of people residing in and around port is adversely affected and suffered

with respiratory diseases. The Port should take up dust pollution control measures on war-

footing basis. He also informed that the pollution is not only limited to Kotaveedhi and also

spread out to the entire city. He also raised his concerns that no concrete actions were

taken by the concerned officials in spite of several complaints lodged against PorL. He finally

informed that the Government should give certain directions to private operators of port to

control pollution problems.

5, Sri A.J.Stalin, City secretary, CPI (M), informed that they submitted written

representation to the authorities of VPT and APPCB. He raised his concerns that people

residing in the surrounding port area taking the food contaminated with coal dust due to

open storing and stacking of coal and suffering with respiratory diseases. He also raised his

concern that one day would come, that all the people residing in the city might leave the

city due to the pollution problems and hence he opined that the port should take up

pollution problems first and then think about the expansion proposal of port.

6. Sri Abdul Gaphar, Kotaveedhi, informed that most of tlre ports in country is handling

clean cargo but VPT is handling dusty cargo due to wlrich people residing in and around

port is adversely affected and suffering with respiratory diseases. He finally opined that the

Port can take up the expansion project after addressing the pollution problems on top

priority.

7. Sri D. Markendaya, CPI (M), informed that Port should not take up the project at the

cost of risk to the life of the people residing in and around port due to.qggravation of the

pollution problems and hence he opined that the port should take up pollution problems

first and then think about the expansion proposal of port.

B. Sri M.A.Rasool, Kotaveedhi, informed that they were born in kotavedhi and their

residential houses, business establishments, prayer halls and grave yards are all here only

and they would not accept, if the Port would tress pass their lands in the sake of expansion

project.

9. Sri V.Bosanna, Sampradaya Matsakarula society, informed that port is informing that

they are implementing dust pollution control measures but in reality, no such measures are

taken up' He also rlised his concerns that port is-stacking coal more than height of the

compound wall and coastal areas are adversely affected due to the activities of VpT and

GPT. He opined that the port should take up pollution problems first and then only take-up

the modernization and expansion project.

10' Smt. A.Vimala, Andhra Pradesh Mahila Samakhya Visakha City secretary,

expressed the most of the pregnant are aborting in and around areas of port due to port

pollution' She expressed that the people in other areas are not coming forward for giving

their son/daughter for matrimonial relations, She raised her concern tt ut the port is getting

proflts, but people are suffering with diseases due to Port activities and also raised that

the port has not implemented the earlier commitments regarding pollution control and

conducting environmental public hearing is not justified thing, She finally opined that port

should not take up modernization and expansion project unless taking the concrete and

permanent pollution control measures,

11. Sri Abdul Anif, TDP Minority Cell President, informed that Kotaveedhi comes into the

existence first and then port came which became international city. He opined that the Poft

should not take up the project at the cost of risk to the life of the people residing in and

around port due to aggravation of the pollution problems. He expressed that if the Govt.

".officials residing in their area , then they would know about the pollution problems facing

due to port activity, He expressed that if the port do not address the existing pollution

problems they would protest against the port activities.

12. Sri Mohamed Irfan," Captain of Merchant ship, Kotaveedhi, informed that he

travelled all over the world and in some countries like Singapore and china, the Port

authorities are takingrcertain measures viz; the coal stackings are properly covered with1"

tarpaulins, but here he observed that no such measure taken up and further raised his

concern that the ground water pollution problem would also arise due to water sprinkling

on coal stockings He opined that the dust pollution is spreading out to the city and the

children and elder people are severely suffering with respiratory diseases.

13. Sri J.D.Naidu, Visakha Fishing Harbour Matsakarula Society Secretaryrinformed

that flsh drying is not properly taken up and diversion of fish catch to the other areas are

taking place due to port pollution. He also raised his concerns that there is an apprehension

in the people regarding displacement of fishing harbor. He opined that the historical

churches, Masque, temples constructed by British people are loosing their heritage due to

port pollution. He expressed that the people are declared suffering with respiratory diseases

when they consulted doctors, Plantation in one town area is also severely damaged due to

recent hud-hud and opined that the Port should not take up the project at the cost of risk

to the life of the people residing in and around port due to aggravaiion of the pollution

p'rot:lems. He finally opined that the port should not take up modernization and expansicn

project unless taking the concrete and pernranent poliution controi measrj.€s,

14. Sri T.Sankar, PedaJalaripeta, Matsakarula Society Secretary, informed that they

are not against the modernization and expansion of the Port, but questioned about the

implementation of the dust pollution control measures implemented so far. He also raised

his concerns that fish catch is depleting due to construction of jetties by usage of

explosives in the beneath of the sea and finally he opined that the port should address

pollution problems first and then start the expansion project.

15. Sri Ch. Masin, Visakhapatnatn flarbour and Port workers socie$, informed that

earlier Visakhapatnam was small village and people were mainly depending upon fish catch.

British people constructed the port in 1933 and Visakhapatnam Harbour and Port workers

society was established in 1936.He also expressed his concern that the pollution problems

are really existing but at the same time port already spent Rs. 2000 Cr on pollution control

measures and also taking up further measures and also opined that people should not

oppose the port expansion, as so many families are depending on it, He finally opined that

the Port should expand the activity by modernization by addressing the pollution

problems keeping the health of the people residing in the surroundings of the Port on top

priority.

16. Sri P.Jagga Rao, Visakhapatnam, informed that earlier port was importing the food

products viz: wheat, rice, sugar and oil. But now VPT is mostly importing dusty coal cargo

and polluting the entire city and finally he opined that the port should take up pollution

problems first and then start the expansion project.

17. Sri P.Venkata Rao, Ex-Corporator, informed that the present chairman- VPT, earlier

worked as Joint Collector, Visakhapatnam had known all the circumstances in the area,

He expressed that the historical churches, Masque, temples constiucted by British people

are losing their heritage due to port pollution. He expressed people are declared suffering

with respiratory diseases when they consulted doctors He opined that the central

government has declared to make the city as smart city, but at the same time allowing the

pori expansion is not justified" thing. He also raised his concerns that pollution in

Visakhapatnam city is in dangerous levels as per the government records. About 5.0 Lakh

people residing in one town area are suffering with health problems due to port pollution

and finally he opined that the port should not take up modernization and expansion project

unless taking the concrete and permanent pollution control measures

./// ru' Dr. Sharin Rahman, Chaitanya Sravanthi Organization, informed that the EIA report4

prepared by WAPCOS is in-coriect and baseless. She opined that as per WAPCOS report

there is no pollution due to port activity , whereas APPCB reports arb'showing there is

pollution due to port activities. She opined that WAPCOS is misleading the public and

given favorable report to VPT and also mentioned that there are no Historical

monuments and habitat places in the Port area which is not really true, She informed that

there are historical churches, Masques, temples constructed by British people are existing

in that area. She expressed that the port is showing lakhs of plantation had been done in

port area on papers, but it is not true in reality . She expressed that there is vast

difference between the EIA report submitted by the Andhra University in the year 1997

and the present report submitted by the WAPCOS, She also opined that there is no

similarity between the report submitted by VPT to the Parliamentary standing committee

and the present EIA report for expansion project. She informed that they already filed an

appeal in National Green Tribunal, Chennai against the port and people would fight

against poft if expansion is not done in proper way, X19. Sri Syam Prasad, HRC member, informed that the people residing in the area is fighting

against the Port since 1990 . He informed that a committee was constituted under the ex-

chairman Sri S.R. Rao and studies were conducted by the committee for six months and

made number of recommendations for control of pollution due tci port activities , but the

port has not implemented the recommendations till today, He opined that not only the

people residing in the slunr area but also peopie in the apartnrents in the city are also

suffering with pollution protrienrs. Finally he opined that lhey want development but not at

the cost of people life,

20. Sri Samba Siva Rao, Visakhapatnam, expressed his concern that Port has come

forward with the proposals like . Container cargo handling, which was already brought in

use all over the world for handling of cargo without any pollution and India is in

lagging behind when compared to other countries regarding container cargo handling and

at these circumstances, the extension of container terminal is really appreciable thing. He

also expressed that the most of the well developed cities are port cities in all over the

world. He opined that the Modernization of existing Iron ore handling complex, WQ-l

Berth, WQ-7 A WQ-8 will also result in considerable reduction of pollution levels,

21. Sri L.F.Raghuram, Visakhapatnam, informed that the Port authorities invited the people

for participating in environmental public hearing by dandora ( Tom -Tom arrangement ) and

the present chairman- VPT, earlier was worked as Joint Collector, Visakhapatnam knows all

the circumstances in the frea. He also opined that VPT become coal cargo hub, if seen$.

through aerial view ana $ttre people would have feel that they landed in the coal miningt

area , He expressed tha$.*andling of huge quantity of coal cargo leading to dust problems,i,.

in the city and informed t$e Government officials not to permit any coal,based industries in

Visakahpatnam area. finaily he opined that they wbnt development but not at the cost of

people life.

22. Sri Chowdhari Apparao appealed the gathering not to obstruct the development. He

also appealed the Port Authorities to address the pollution issues in amicable way.

23, Sri S.V. Ramanarao , opined that Visakhapatnam city is popularly known as port city

and people from all over the areas are migrated to port city for their lively hood and at

present situation people planning to migrate to other areas due to pollution from the port

activities. He opined that, earlier there is King George Hospital ivfricfr was the oniy big

hospital for entire Visakhapatnam but there are hundreds of Multi super specialty hospitals

are establisHed for facilitating the patients increasing day by day due to poilution

problems. He opined that why Visakhapatnam Port Trust is handling the dusly cargo

"r",1l thorgh there are other commodities far hanclling.

ffi/25, Sr,i Brahmaswaroop, an electi'ical engineer informed that safety first and

development next. He requested the Chairman of the port trust shall declare their port as

"Pollution free Port". He expressed that, the Pollution levels should not exceed the limits

and questloned the implementation of earlier commitments regarding addressing the

pollution issues. Finally he opined that they want development but not at the cost of people

life.

26. Prof. S, Ramakrishna Rao, GITAM University informed that the Chairman of

Visakhpatnam Poft trust has started initiation for control of pollution immediately after

taking charge as Chairman. He opined that, pollution levels would be reduced to greater

extent due to introduction of Container cargo operations and other mechanized initiatives

by Decemb er 20L7..

27. Sri Mariadas, A voluntary activist informed that they are submitting memorandums to

the concerned officials on the pollution being caused due to the activities of Visakhapatnam

Port. He opined that Health is wealth and it is not fair to go for expansion of

Visakhapatnam Port Trust without taking into consideration of public health.

28. Residents of Kota street opined that the Port shall adopt ttre systems those are being

implemented in developed countries and there is no development without industrial growth.

He requested the. public not to oppose the port modernization and expansion activities,

29. S?i S.V. Chowdhary on behalf of Visakhapatnam Port Trust Consumers Union while

addressing the public hearing said that the Visakhapatnam, Pgrt Trust is pride of

out of 37 no. of written representations received at the time of meeting 25 are against

the project and 12 are welcoming the modernization of port. summary of the representations

received before the Public hearing and during the Public hearing is here.vgith submitted as

Annexure-L

Sri Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar, Hon'ble M.L.A for Visakhapatnam (South) submitted a

representation for objecting the further expansion stating that EIA Report pertaining to

Modernization & Expansion of VPT is incorrect, Solid waste management, srp, drainage, dust

suppression, coal stacking & pilingl handling, water, air, noise, dredging, dumping of dredges and.a

blasted material, green belt and 6r' ornur. statutory regulations and rules are not being properly:i',

implemented for existing facilitied of vPT and the livelihood of the fishermen would be adversely

effected. !

Visakhapatnam. In the present scenario, port

India. He opined that the port shall constitute

public, stake holders and NGo's for addressing

organization "

The Chairmdn, Visakhapatnam Port Trust while responding

during the Public Hearing ensured that the Port would take all the

control measures to mitigate the dust pollution problems and

issues raised by the public" Copy of the written commitment

submitted as Annexure-ff .

is to be competent with the other port,s irr

a committee with the representativcs of tlrl

the environmental issues and growth of the

to the issues raised by the pubtic

permanent and concrete pollution

submitted written replies for the

subrnitted by VPT is here with

l*int il*il*rtr,n & A#tt. *istriir:i4fr ! isti"aie, V;Ee khapfrt ;-,#rr

The Joint

inform ed

reco rd ed

n ecessa ry

Collector and Addl. District Magistrate, Visakhapatnam as Chairman of the public hearing

that the opinions, suggestions, objections raised by the general public in the meeting are

and the Minutes of today's proceedings would be sent to MoEF, New Delhi for taking

action and concluded the proceediilgs of the public irearing.

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