Forum calls for cleaning up and restructuring of Vizag storm drains

Visakhapatnam: Members of the Greater Visakhapatnam Citizens Forum have called for urgent GVMC action to clean up the natural stormwater drains in Visakhapatnam.

The members here on Sunday discussed the challenges, problems, and potential solutions associated with the natural water streams. They sought a sustainable redesign and management strategy for the drainage system.

Noted architect Shabnam Patel and others said the unique topography of Visakhapatnam directed most of the natural stormwater drains into the sea. While these drains had been contributing to the city's beauty and preventing flooding, urbanisation and population growth transformed these drains into channels for the flow of wastewater.

The city's solid waste, especially plastic, is dumped into these drains, polluting the coastal waters and endangering marine life, they noted.

“The polluted coastal waters posed a threat to marine life and entered the human food chain. After storm surges, the sea throws back plastic and waste onto beaches, necessitating costly cleanup efforts. There is an immediate need to reduce the quantity of waste entering the drains and subsequently the sea.”

“Despite being a coastal town, the authorities have not attempted any major improvements for the drainage system,” they said.

To address climate change challenges and enhance the city's resilience, the forum called for high-priority investments and redesigning of the drainage system in tune with the growth in major infrastructure investments here.

GVMC’s chief medical officer, Dr Naresh Kumar, who was impressed with the suggestions from forum members, said he would propose the installation of bioremediation equipment. “All the drains are being cleaned and silt removed to prevent the flow of the city’s waste into the sea,” he stated.

Forum president Lt. Col. (retd) AK Subbarao, vice president Sohan Hatangadi, secretary Capt N Viswanathan and others spoke.