Visakhapatnam:  The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has announced plans to develop a new sewage treatment plant (STP) in the Appughar area of Vizag city.

The proposed STP will have a capacity of 25 million litres per day (MLD) and is primarily aimed at addressing the diversion of dry weather flow from several parts along the beach road, which currently discharges untreated into the sea. The GVMC has allocated approximately Rs 88 crore in funding under the Amrut 2.0 scheme for this project.

Despite Vizag's emergence as a notable tourism destination, wastewater from several sewers along the beach road continues to be directly discharged into the sea, presenting a significant environmental concern. Untreated dry weather flow from about 10 to 15 sources currently enters the sea in areas such as RK Beach, Jalaripeta, and Appughar.

GVMC officials have identified drains in areas like Pandurangapuram, Sea Green Hotel, YMCA, Gayatri Vidya Parishad (VMRDA Park), Peda Jalaripeta, Shanthi Ashram, and Kailasagiri Ropeway to be diverted to the new STP. The plant will utilize Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) technology for wastewater treatment. The project will also include the installation of an additional sewer network to fill gaps in the existing sewage system in these areas.

In addition, GVMC is planning to develop a comprehensive sewerage network system in the Madhurawada area. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has agreed in principle to extend a Rs 500 crore loan for the project. Officials aim to complete this project within the next three to four years.

Newly merged areas such as Bheemunipatnam and Anakapalli currently lack a proper underground drainage system. While the existing network spans over 300 kilometers, only about 250 kilometers are connected to sewage treatment plants, leaving the newly added areas uncovered. Additionally, some existing parts of the network require augmentation due to being undersized.

City environmentalists have raised concerns about the toxic waste that ends up in the sea without proper sewage treatment, which can re-enter the food chain. Apart from plastic waste, several bulky items are also dumped into city drains. This plastic waste sometimes washes ashore, detracting from the beach's appearance and posing environmental hazards.

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