Andhra pollution board orders Nellore industries to expand greenbelts

The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board has ordered industries in SPSR Nellore district to strengthen environmental safeguards after surprise inspections conducted on Thursday. Board chairman P. Krishnaiah visited GRI Towers, Sentini Pipes, Vayona Energy and other facilities to assess pollution-control systems, solid-waste management, greenbelt development and measures to control fugitive emissions.

At GRI Towers, Krishnaiah directed management to begin planting and complete a five-acre greenbelt area that had been earmarked but remained undeveloped. He also ordered the completion of afforestation work in the 22 per cent greenbelt area designated within the premises of IFFCO or the concerned organisation. At Sentini Pipes, the board directed management to prepare and implement an action plan for developing a greenbelt across at least 33 per cent of the applicable area.

Internal roads were to be developed with bitumen or concrete surfaces to reduce dust, particulate matter and fugitive emissions. The company was also told to create a properly lined waste-storage yard in line with environmental standards. Paint sludge, iron slag and other solid waste must be stored scientifically and processed or disposed of through authorised agencies, the board said.

Industries were further instructed to collect and segregate plastic and PVC waste under the Plastic Waste Management Rules. The material must be handed to authorised agencies or processed and disposed of in accordance with applicable regulations. Krishnaiah directed the inspected companies to comply strictly with all orders, regulations and conditions issued by the pollution-control board.

He said negligence in implementing environmental and pollution-control measures would not be tolerated and that action could be taken under relevant guidelines and regulations. The companies were instructed to complete the measures within the stipulated period and submit comprehensive reports to the board detailing the action taken. The supplied report did not state whether any penalties had already been imposed.