Andhra Pradesh: HRF expresses concern over Vizag being most polluted city in south India

VISAKHAPATNAM: Human Rights Forum (HRF), Andhra Pradesh, has expressed concern over Vizag getting the dubious distinction of being the most polluted city in south India, according to the recent Greenpeace India study.HRF demanded that authorities initiate and take forward credible, effective and timely measures to halt this breaching of nominal and legal air pollution limits.HRF Andhra Pradesh state general secretary, K Sudha, said the situation amounts to a public health emergency. “Citizens have a right to clean air. However, we do not seem to have a choice, but to breathe noxious fumes every day amidst a sense of utter helplessness,” she said.“As is known, the air quality index (AQI) - the yardstick used to measure the quality of air in a given area - is grouped into six categories. Each category corresponds to a different level of health concern and is measured on a scale of 0 to 500. Air quality in Vizag often records ‘unhealthy’ (151-200) and ‘very unhealthy’ (201-300) levels. It is hitting the threshold zone of ‘hazardous’ (301 and higher) during winter,” said Sudha.The HRF general secretary added that the coal dust generated by the operations of the Vizag Port Trust spreads across the city because of sea winds. “In spite of intervention by the National Green Tribunal, there has been no improvement. On most days, the air in the city is hazy, trees are laden with dust and windows and floors turn sooty. Continuous exposure to coal dust causes scarring in the lungs, impairing our ability to breathe,” said Sudha.HRF Andhra Pradesh and Telangana coordination committee member, VS Krishna, said that in the absence of robust statistics and exact estimates, we really do not know how many lives are being cut short because of these dangerous levels of contaminants in our environment.“So far, there has been a gross official failure on this front with the government flouting its duty to protect the lives and health of citizens. From available published data, it is not surprising that many people are dying prematurely because of air pollution. Vulnerable groups like the young, elderly, the poor and those with pre-existing health conditions are at particular risk from exposure to this persistent toxic cloud,” said Krishna.