Power plants to be set up in 53 civic bodies

Visakhapatnam: The State government is keen to curb the growing pollution problem being generated from the urban waste material scientifically as its pollution level is more compared to the other types of pollution, said Secretary of Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board B S S Prasad.

Delivering a key note address at a two-day workshop-cum- awareness meet organised on urban waste management here on Wednesday, Prasad informed that efforts are on to utilise the entire waste material and as a part of it, power plants will be set up in 53 municipalities and municipal corporations across the State.

Referring to Vizag, the secretary said that a power plant with a capacity of 15 MW would be set up aiming at reducing the pollution levels to zero. Stating that all citizens should be involved in the waste management, he said and added that the workshop will educate the public as new regulations were formulated in the policy to suit present circumstances.

Municipal Commissioner M Harinarayanan felt that only when the officials and staff at all levels equip with the knowledge of waste management, the regulations could be implemented in toto. He said that Andhra Pradesh is in the forefront of other States in the country with regard to the waste management.

Chairman of the Expert Committee on Pollution Control Prof V R K Prasad said that the electronic material which is thrown after using the same would also cause pollution. Joint Chief Environmental Engineer Bhaskara Rao, DM&HO Dr J Sarojini, Municipal Regional Director Asha Jyothi and Environmental Engineer Lakshminarayana were also present.