An aerial view of One Town, with cargo handling facilities of the Visakhapatnam Port visible in the background on Friday.
| Photo Credit: KR DEEPAK
Pollution concerns have once again resurfaced in the city, with residents living in and around the Visakhapatnam port area alleging a significant increase in dust pollution over the past few weeks.Residents of Relli Veedhi, Kurupam Market, Town Kotha Road, Jalaripeta, Burujupeta, Rangireeju Veedhi and other areas close to the port said that they have been witnessing heavy dust accumulation, forcing them to clean their houses, terraces and parked vehicles every morning.The issue gained renewed attention recently after a thick layer of red-brown dust was found covering parked two-wheelers, rooftops and trees in parts of One Town near the port. Photographs of the dust-covered localities went viral on social media, triggering concern among residents. Locals immediately brought the matter to the notice of officials of the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board, seeking an inquiry into the source of the pollution.Residents from One Town, Gnanapuram, Allipuram and other areas adjoining the port alleged that apart from the red-brown dust, a fine layer of black dust regularly settles on windows, balconies and household furniture within a few hours of cleaning. They fear prolonged exposure to the dust could lead to respiratory ailments, lung-related diseases and other health complications, particularly among children, senior citizens and those with pre-existing respiratory illnesses. They urged the authorities to conduct a comprehensive air quality assessment and identify the source of the pollution.“Every morning, we wake up to a fresh layer of black dust on our windows, furniture and vehicles. We are worried about what we are breathing every day. We fear it could affect our lungs and overall health in the long run, but where can we go? This is our own house and we cannot simply leave it,” said K. Appala Naidu, a resident of the Old Post Office area in One Town.The recurring pollution issue has also drawn political attention. Former Visakhapatnam South MLA Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar recently staged a protest demanding immediate intervention to address the problem. He urged the authorities to ensure continuous monitoring of air quality, strictly enforce pollution control norms and implement permanent measures to curb dust emissions in the affected localities. Published - July 10, 2026 11:20 pm IST
