Visakhapatnam: Dust pollution overflowing drains and persistent garbage accumulation continue to affect residents of Visakhapatnam’s South Zone, particularly One Town despite repeated complaints and assurances from civic authorities.
Residents across areas such as the Old Post Office locality AVN College Road Chengalraopeta and Burujupeta say that the lack of lasting solutions to recurring civic problems has affected their quality of life and raised concerns about public health.
Dust Pollution Raises Health Concerns
Dust pollution remains one of the biggest concerns in One Town. The issue gained renewed attention a few months ago when a conveyor belt reportedly released brown, sand-like dust near the Old Post Office area. Following complaints the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) initiated action against those responsible, and a series of meetings were held to address residents’ concerns.
However, residents say that a permanent solution is yet to be implemented.
“Pollution has become a common problem in One Town. Despite several promises, no proper action has been taken so far to address it permanently. Many elderly people are suffering because of the conditions in which they have to live,” said Yousuf a resident of the Old Post Office area.
Inadequate Drainage and Poor Sanitation
Alongside air pollution poor sanitation and inadequate drainage infrastructure continue to trouble several neighbourhoods in the South Zone. Residents report that even moderate rainfall can cause drains to overflow and roads to become waterlogged within minutes, particularly in low lying areas.
Garbage accumulation has further aggravated the situation. Although sanitation workers periodically clear waste from streets and drains, residents say that garbage soon reappears, highlighting shortcomings in waste collection and disposal.
The Poorna Market area and Kurupam Market Road are among the affected locations, where indiscriminate waste disposal by some vendors has reportedly added to the sanitation burden. Residents allege that garbage dumped into drains obstructs water flow and worsens waterlogging during rainfall.
“Several vendors in the Poorna Market area and along Kurupam Market Road dump waste into drains, causing blockages. There is also a need to upgrade and expand the drainage network, much of which is old and inadequate to meet the present requirements,” said Manasa a resident of Poorna Market.
Residents have also pointed to a shortage of sanitation personnel as a factor contributing to the recurring problems.
Civic Authorities Cite Waste Related Blockages
A senior Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) official said that silt was being removed from drains as part of periodic maintenance. However blockages continued because solid waste was being dumped into the drainage network.
The situation underscores the need for regular drain cleaning improved waste collection, stronger enforcement against indiscriminate dumping and upgrades to ageing drainage infrastructure.
Apart from sanitation and pollution, residents and former corporators have raised concerns about certain locations allegedly being used by groups of youths for consuming ganja and liquor. They have called for intervention to address these activities and improve public safety in the neighbourhood.
Residents say that repeated complaints and temporary cleaning drives have failed to resolve the underlying issues. They are seeking sustained action from civic authorities to control dust pollution, improve drainage, strengthen sanitation services and ensure cleaner, safer neighbourhoods.
For residents of Visakhapatnam’s South Zone, the demand remains clear: lasting civic improvements rather than temporary measures.