Pollution board warns Nellore rice mills over boiler emissions

The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board has warned rice mills in Nellore that heavy fines could follow if dust from their boilers contributes to air pollution. The warning was issued at an awareness meeting for owners of 64 mills within Nellore city limits. APPCB Environmental Engineer Ashok Kumar said operators were responsible for preventing pollution that could harm public health.

The meeting was organised after complaints from members of the public about emissions from rice mills. APPCB chairman P. Krishnaiah visited Nellore on Thursday and ordered that mills repeatedly violating pollution standards be shut down.

Mr Krishnaiah said the government was not opposed to the industry but wanted mills to operate without causing inconvenience to residents. The source material did not specify the fines that could be imposed or identify any mill already ordered to close. The APPCB’s Nellore regional office has advised owners for the past two years to install modern equipment to control boiler dust.

Of the 64 mills, 33 owners have installed such equipment, while 31 have not yet done so. Mr Kumar urged the remaining operators to comply with the board’s standards. He said a workshop would be held to explain how to use and maintain pollution-control equipment, with experts expected to brief employees about boilers and other machinery.

He also called on mill owners to develop green belts at their facilities. Separate awareness sessions would address the production of value-added products, he said. The warning reflects the State government’s stated focus on pollution control following public complaints.

The source did not provide measurements of air pollution in Nellore, a deadline for compliance or details of any enforcement action already taken.