Plastic waste a big challenge to Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation

Visakhapatnam: Though the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation was spending a huge sum to maintain hygiene in the city, two spells of downpour posed new challenges to the civic authorities.

Garbage particularly, plastic waste and other material, which were submerged into the sea from various open canals of the city due to heavy rains that lashed for two days, surfaced on the beaches and roads. Due to lack of awareness among the people, all the drainages were filled up with plastic waste and they entered the low-lying areas, and finally into the sea. Notably, there is no enforcement to control the plastic waste.

The situation became worse during the two spells in the city and the GVMC would face a tough task in maintaining sanitation works in next monsoon. Many vehicles and thousands of sanitary workers were engaged to clear the garbage at several places.

“It is true, that due to the lack of awareness, plastic and garbage are being dumped into the canals. However, during the past two years, there is a visible change. Awareness programmes should be conducted regularly. We are desilting the drains for the past two months,” said chief medical officer of GVMC Dr A Hemanth.

By VK Lakshmi Gayatri