The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) is on a mission to achieve comprehensive sewage treatment and conveyance in Visakhapatnam, aiming for 100% coverage.

Currently, the city generates approximately 215 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage, yet the existing sewage treatment plants (STPs) with a combined capacity of 163 MLD fall short in treating the entire volume.

Challenges arise due to certain areas lacking underground drainage (UGD) systems, resulting in 57 MLD of untreated sewage.

To address this gap, Visakhapatnam formulated a district environmental plan (DEP) in 2019, as per the National Green Tribunal's directive. Recently, in November 2023, the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) urged submission of the DEP to facilitate government action.

In response, GVMC developed a new plan outlining projects to achieve 100% UGD treatment and conveyance, approved by the collector.

The plan includes the construction of three new STPs in Narava (54 MLD), Appughar (25 MLD), and Kapuluppada (25 MLD).

Operations are scheduled to commence progressively, with Narava expected to be operational by December 2024, followed by Appughar in March 2026, and Kapuluppada by December 2027.

Moreover, GVMC is poised to enhance the sewerage network in the Madhurawada area, supported by a ₹500 crore loan from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group.

his initiative aims to extend the sewage network comprehensively, with completion anticipated by December 2027.

The expansion of GVMC's sewerage network is crucial, particularly in newly merged areas like Bheemunipatnam and Anakapalli, where UGD systems are lacking.

With only 250 kilometres of the existing 300-kilometre network connecting to sewage treatment plants, efforts are underway to address this disparity and augment undersized sections of the network for a more robust sanitation infrastructure.