Chemical imports to port opposed

Visakhapatnam: Locals are raising pitch against Vizag port, which has been importing hazardous chemicals like Ammonium Nitrate, Liquid Ammonia, Sulphur, Sulphuric Acid, Molten Sulphur, Phosphoric Acid, Styrene, Monomer and Methanol. As per the report by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Inventory of hazardous chemicals import in India, Vizag port has got the dubious distinction of importing 87. 13 per cent of all the total imports of these hazardous chemicals by all the Indian ports during 2004-05.   While the  imports of these chemicals at  Vizag port in 2004-05 stood at  267,119.73 tonnes, these imports as per the Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT)’s administration report of 2012-13 touched 9,34,524 tonnes between 2012-13.

Locals are of the opinion that Vizag port has been importing these chemicals which were discarded by other ports like Chennai Port to jack up their revenues putting lives of those living in the port vicinity at risk. “These kind of hazardous imports were banned in the Chennai Port by the High Court of Chennai on a PIL filed by Chennai Citizens. District authorities should also take steps to save the health of the citizens of our city by taking similar steps,” said Vizag Development Council (VDC) vice-president O. Naresh Kumar, who wrote to the district collector in this regard. As per CPCB’s report, 117 hazardous chemicals are being imported through 12 sea ports and tw airports. It was also observed that information furnished by many industries is not sufficient as per the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazarous Chemical (MSIHC) rules. Many industries are not furnishing information on product  specification and material safety data sheet, the  CPCB report said.