Cleaning drains is key to protecting our oceans: MP

Visakhapatnam: Visakhapatnam MP M Sribharat emphasised that protecting marine environment requires more than periodic beach-cleaning drives and called for comprehensive measures to prevent waste and untreated effluents from entering the sea through the city’s drainage network.

Launching the pilot ‘NIRMaL Sagar’ campaign’, organised by Union Ministry of Earth Sciences in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, the MP along with T Srinivasa Kumar, Secretary of Ministry of Earth Sciences, participated in the programme and administered ‘Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar’ (Clean Ocean, Safe Ocean) pledge to the participants.

Addressing the gathering, Sribharat said that approximately 40 major and minor drains run from Gajuwaka to Bheemili. Many of these were originally intended to carry rainwater into the sea. However, over time, several of these drains have become conduits for plastic, food waste and other forms of garbage. He expressed concern over instances of people dumping bulky household items such as beds, mattresses and chairs directly into drains, noting that such practices ultimately contribute to marine pollution.

Further, Sribharat informed that work is progressing on an integrated drainage project estimated at Rs 330 crore which aims to connect around 18 major drains across Visakhapatnam. As part of the project, measures are being explored to install physical barriers to prevent solid waste from entering the sea, while wastewater would be treated through effluent treatment plants (ETPs) during the final phase.

He suggested that the treated water could subsequently be explored for gardening and horticultural purposes or wherever technically and environmentally appropriate, discharged safely into the sea. The MP called upon experts and the Central and State government agencies concerned to explore practical engineering and technology-based solutions for preventing waste from entering the drainage system. He proposed installing barriers at strategic points along the drainage network to identify pollution sources and address them at the point of origin.

“Government funding and infrastructure alone cannot provide a permanent solution unless there is a corresponding change in public behaviour,” he said, emphasising the need for citizens to take responsibility for proper waste disposal and refrain from dumping garbage into drains. He underlined that citizens should move beyond merely reporting sanitation problems and actively contribute to maintaining clean surroundings and preventing waste from entering water bodies.

Calling for coordinated efforts involving Central and State governments, the MP said the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation, technical experts, civil society organisations and citizens can help transform Visakhapatnam into a national model for ocean cleanliness and sustainable coastal development.

He sought technical guidance, domain expertise and financial support from the Ministry of Earth Sciences to strengthen Visakhapatnam’s efforts towards marine conservation, sustainable water management and pollution control.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Hans India