VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has ordered the Pollution Control Board to take necessary actions to make the state free from industrial waste and pollution.
He also ordered setting up of Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CEPT) for wastewater management in all industrial clusters to achieve international standards in pollution control.
“We will make the state a leader in the country in providing pollution-free environment, like we did in making it open defecation free,” he said.
Addressing concerns expressed on the mega aqua food park to be established in Tundurru, Bhimavaram mandal, West Godavari district, he said his government was committed to the progress of the district and gave assurance to the people of the district that no injustice would be done to them.
“Godavari district is a leader in agricultural pr-oduction. I envision making the district a leader in industrial development as well,” he said, adding that the food park is pollution-free and had it posed any environmental risk, he would not have allowed that to come up at all. He added that the waste from the plant would be treated, which would be let into the sea through a special pipeline.
Officials informed the Chief Minster that Rs 25 crore had already been spent for the establishment of the park and that it would be difficult to move the park to another location.
A committee with the local MLA and collector has been set up to seek people’s opinions and to dispel misconceptions regarding the mega food park. “Only through industrial development, employment can be generated. If the district has to develop, industrialisation is necessary. People should be made aware of this,” he said.
The Chief Minister directed the officials to set up a CETP for the treatment of Yananad-urru drain along with taking up treatment of polluted waters in all canals on a war-footing. The government would not tolerate any attempt to disrupt development, he said.
