Citizens criticise GVMC beach cleaning drive

 Visakhapatnam: Environmentalists have criticised GVMC's invitation to citizens that they participate in cleaning of the Visakhapatnam beach. They feel citizens should decline such invitations.

Sangeeta, a housewife from Seetammadhara, says: “GVMC plans everything without consulting citizens of Vizag. If the corporation really wants citizens to be involved in beach cleaning, it should have a dialogue with the citizens first.”

Environmentalists say beach cleaning has been going on for the last 15 years. The cleaning makes little difference because the underlying cause of drainages carrying solid waste into the sea is not being addressed.

They point out that suggestions to deal with the problem have been given to GVMC several times. But commissioner after commissioner have ignored these suggestions.

Environmentalist Sohan Hatangadi says cleaning just the Visakhapatnam beach is not sufficient. “What about Gnanapuram, Gajuwaka, Chinna Mushidiwada, Yerada and Duvvada,” he asked.

Sohan suggested that GVMC must consult all stakeholders before formulating its plans. Even if the plans come from Vijayawada or Delhi, citizens must be taken into confidence, he remarked.