The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has intensified its enforcement against sanitation violations, sealing 58 shops and imposing ₹4.36 lakh in penalties during inspections conducted across Visakhapatnam on October 8.

The special drive covered all 10 municipal zones and followed directions from GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg to take strict action against commercial establishments violating sanitation regulations. Officials conducted 80 inspections, sealing 58 shops and imposing penalties on another 22 establishments without sealing them.

 

The Madhurawada zone recorded the highest number of sealed shops, with 16 establishments facing action and penalties totalling ₹94,000. The East zone followed with 14 shops sealed and ₹43,000 in fines, while eight shops in the North zone faced penalties totalling ₹55,500.

Other zones, including Bheemili, South, West, Pendurthi, Gajuwaka, Aganampudi and Anakapalli, also reported enforcement action.

 

The violations included dumping waste on roads, in drains and at public places, as well as using prohibited plastic materials. Commissioner Ketan Garg directed shopkeepers and commercial establishments to store their waste in dustbins and hand it over to Clean Andhra Pradesh (CLAP) vehicles daily.

GVMC has also instructed officials to strengthen waste-collection operations, monitor collection schedules and conduct regular inspections. The civic body said enforcement would continue against establishments that fail to comply with sanitation rules.