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YSR Congress Party MPs have raised concerns over rising pollution levels in Visakhapatnam and the poor condition of a key highway stretch in Andhra Pradesh, calling for urgent intervention by state and central authorities. They highlighted worsening air and noise pollution in the port city due to traffic congestion, industrial activity and heavy vehicle movement, which is impacting public health and livability. The MPs also flagged safety risks on a narrow and damaged highway linking major commercial and industrial zones. They urged faster road upgrades, improved safety infrastructure and stricter pollution controls, noting that addressing these issues is crucial for public safety, smoother logistics and sustaining investor confidence in the region' s industrial and real estate growth.
Members of Parliament representing the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) have raised concerns about worsening pollution in and around Visakhapatnam and the hazardous condition of a key highway segment in Andhra Pradesh, urging both state and central authorities to implement urgent remedial measures. In a statement to parliamentary committees and infrastructure officials earlier this week, the MPs said the twin issues posed risks to public health, road safety and regional economic activity. Advertisement
The delegation highlighted that Visakhapatnam, a major industrial and port city on India's east coast, has been grappling with elevated levels of air and noise pollution due to dense traffic, port operations, heavy vehicle emissions and industrial effluents. Residents and commuters in several neighbourhoods have reported respiratory ailments, reduced visibility and environmental distress that they attribute to unchecked emissions and inadequate enforcement of pollution control norms.
Alongside environmental concerns, the MPs singled out a stretch of the state's highway network that has seen a disproportionate number of traffic incidents and structural distress. According to the group, this segment which links key commercial nodes and suburban townships is narrow, poorly surfaced and lacks adequate safety features such as guardrails, proper signage and stormwater drainage. They said this has compounded the risk of accidents, especially for heavy vehicles carrying freight to and from the port and nearby industrial corridors.
In their appeal, the YSRCP representatives urged the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, National Highways Authority of India, and the Andhra Pradesh Roads and Buildings Department to undertake an immediate inspection of the affected highway stretch and prioritise its widening, resurfacing and safety augmentation. They also called for enhanced real-time air quality monitoring systems across Visakhapatnam and surrounding districts, and stricter implementation of pollution control measures at industrial clusters.
The MPs stressed the need for a coordinated response that balances economic growth with environmental sustainability and public safety. They highlighted that addressing the pollution crisis and the deteriorating highway conditions would not only improve the quality of life for local communities but also support smoother logistics and boost investor confidence in the industrial ecosystem of the region.
Officials in the state government and responsible ministries are understood to be reviewing the representations and are expected to outline action steps shortly. Local civic groups have welcomed the raised concerns, urging expedited action to mitigate the long-standing environmental and infrastructure challenges.
Source: PTI
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