Vizag most polluted, Patancheru No 2

Vizag most polluted, Patancheru No 2 TIMES NEWS NETWORK  Visakhapatnam: The port city of Vizag was named as one of the fastest growing cities in the world. But in what could come as a shocker to its image, the City of Destiny now occupies the top slot as the most polluted area in the state by pushing Patancheru in Medak district to second place.     Sources said the port city has indeed become a major hub for industrial pollution and time is ticking fast before it gets worse. As per the recently released Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) comprehensive environmental assessment, the pollution levels in Vizag would reach hazardous levels once the proposed Coastal Corridor and Pharma City projects come into full shape.     According to AP Pollution Control Board sources, the CPCB has conducted studies on environmental components like air, water and ecological damage, besides visual environmental conditions in the industrial belts. A total of 88 industrial areas across the nation were selected by the CPCB for the study.     Above 70 score of the comprehensive environmental pollution index (CEPI) is treated as critically polluted industrial area and CEPI between 60-70 is considered as severely polluted area. As per the CEPI indicator, Vizag bagged the dubious distinction of standing first in pollution levels with a score of 70.82, while Patancheru stood at second with 70.07 CEPI. Vijayawada (61.01), Kattedan (57.73) on the outskirts of Hyderabad and Kukatpally (56.56) were also on the dubious list. Insofar as air pollution is concerned, Vizag again “stole a march” with a score of 57, ahead of Vijayawada (52), Patancheru (50), Kattedan (44.50) and Kukatpally (41.50). In water pollution, Patancheru stood first with a score of 59, Vizag closely followed with 57.50. Kattedan and Kukatpally were at 47 and Vijyawada had 41.50 score.     Vizag’s image took another nosedive when it was placed on top with a score of 55 in land pollution, with Patancheru coming a close second with 54. Kattedan (45.50), Kukatpally (43.50) and Vijayawada (43) followed. Sources told TOI that CPCB would conduct a comprehensive analysis to calculate the impact of industrial pollution on humans and ecological factors.

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