Two lakh tonnes of waste will be cleared from Vizag dumping yard, says SACL Chairman

Swachch Andhra Corporation Limited Chairman K. Pattabhi Ram during a review meeting at the GVMC office in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: V. RAJU

Swachch Andhra Corporation Limited (SACL) Chairman K. Pattabhi Ram has said that steps are being taken to clear the debris from the dumping yard at Kapuluppada in the city.

A drone survey was conducted recently as part of a plan to clear around 2 lakh tonnes of waste from the dumping yard in the next few months. The NDA government aims to clear the legacy waste and convert dumping yards into green spaces, Mr. Pattabhi Ram told the media at the GVMC office on Tuesday (March 11, 2025).

“The previous YSRCP government, which imposed tax for garbage collection, had left nearly 86 lakh tonnes of waste in dumping yards across the State. The present government is clearing the waste, with an aim to convert dumping yards into green spaces,” said Mr. Pattabhi Ram.

He said that door-to-door garbage collection was being effectively done in the city. “The government has focused on filling the gaps, such as procurement of machinery through the 15th Finance Commission funds or other sources.

He said the SACL was providing all support to ensure good rankings for Visakhapatnam in the Swachch Survekshan Survey this year.

Since January this year, Swachch Andhra programmes have been organised every third Saturday of the month in all Urban Local Bodies with different themes. The theme for this month is ‘Single use plastic ban’.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Pattabhi Ram conducted a review meeting with the GVMC authorities and discussed various topics including Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) projects which are yet to be grounded, mechanisation of garbage transfer stations, resuming the inactive Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste, etc.

He said that the government was focussing on the development of the GVMC by bringing in investments. He dared former IT Minister Gudivada Amarnath to list out the development projects implemented in Visakhapatnam during the tenre of the YSRCP .

‘GVMC to get Commissioner soon’

Asked about the appointment of the GVMC Commissioner, Mr. Pattabhi Ram said that the civic body would get the Municipal Commissioner within 10 days after the completion of the Assembly session.