Latest news with #GreaterVisakhapatnamMunicipalCorporation
Hans India
3 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
People urged to cultivate simple habits for a meaningful change
Visakhapatnam: As growing plastic menace has become a serious environmental and public health concern, district administration is exploring ways to exert influence on people to switch to planet-friendly alternatives. Underlining the need to unite for a common cause and contributing to the state government's ambitious 'Swarnandhra–Swachh Andhra' campaign, Visakhapatnam District Collector MN Harendhira Prasad called upon people to avoid using plastic supplies and switch to eco-friendly alternatives. At an awareness programme organised by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation at the RRR centre in Yendada on Saturday, he appealed to people to come together to make Visakhapatnam a plastic-free city. Speaking at the event, the District Collector stated that the state government is organising Swarnandhra–Swachh Andhra campaign across the state on the third Saturday of every month to spread awareness. He exhorted the people of Visakhapatnam to extend their support by eliminating single-use plastic from the households and adopting planet-friendly alternatives. He emphasised that single-use plastic items used on a day-to-day basis are clogging drains and causing stagnation, resulting in diseases. 'Sanitation workers are risking their lives daily to remove plastic waste from blocked drains. As plastic waste enters aquatic food chains, they not only impact marine life but also affect human health through seafood consumption, leading to several health concerns, including cancer,' Harendhira Prasad explained. As alternatives to single-use plastic, he recommended paper bags, cloth bags, jute bags, steel, glass, ceramic plates, cups, containers, and reusable water bottles. He appealed to the public to bring in a meaningful change by cultivating simple daily habits. An awareness poster highlighting the message 'let's end plastic pollution together' was released on the occasion. The awareness programme was organised in the presence of GVMC Additional Commissioners DV Ramana Murthy and SS Varma, chief medical officer ENV Naresh Kumar and ward corporator L Apparao. In recognition of Visakhapatnam's achievement of securing the first position under Safai Mitra Surakshit Shehar special category, the Collector felicitated sanitation workers and representatives of NGOs for their dedicated efforts. Stalls promoting earth-friendly products were displayed on the occasion. Cleanliness drive In order to build a healthier environment and as part of 'Swarnandhra–Swachh Andhra campaign,' Anakapalli district police initiated a cleanliness drive in the district police station, parking space, etc., Following the instructions of Anakapalli district Superintendent of Police Tuhin Sinha, Additional SP M Deva Prasad led the cleanliness drive that saw participation of police officials. 'The onus of building awareness about cleanliness and leading a plastic-free life rests on the police and it should be made a way of life,' the Additional SP emphasised. Inspectors Bala Surya Rao, Lakshmi, Anjibabu participated.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Shun plastic and use eco-friendly products, urges Collector
District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad on Saturday urged the citizens to strictly avoid plastic items and only use eco-friendly alternatives to protect the environment. He also stressed on the need for collective efforts to fight against plastic ban. The Collector attended 'Swachh Andhra-Swarna Andhra' programme organised by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) at the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (RRR) centre at Yendada Junction. Speaking at the programme, Mr. Prasad said that the government has been organising 'Swachh Andhra - Swarna Andhra' programmes across the State every third Saturday of the month to raise awareness on cleanliness. He called on citizens to support this cause in large numbers by not using single-use plastics and switch to environment-friendly alternatives. 'Single-use plastic waste often clogs drains and water bodies, leading to serious health risks during the rainy season. Sanitation workers risk their lives to remove plastic waste from drains every day. Plastics entering the ocean are consumed by fish, which eventually enter human consumption and may lead to severe diseases such as cancer,' he said. He urged the public to use alternatives like paper, cloth, jute bags, steel and glass utensils, ceramic plates and cups, and reusable water bottles. He also administered a 'Swachh Andhra Pledge' against plastic and released an awareness poster titled 'Let's End Plastic Pollution Together'. Corporator Lodagala Apparao, GVMC Additional Commissioner D.V. Ramana Murthy, Chief Medical Officer Dr. E.N.V. Naresh Kumar and others attended. Sanitation workers and NGO representatives who contributed significantly helping the city win 'Safaimitra Surakshit Sheher' award were felicitated. He later visited various stalls showcasing eco-friendly alternatives and applauded their efforts.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
GVMC bags first rank in ‘Safai Mitra Surakshit Shehar'
Visakhapatnam: The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) bagged the much-coveted national-level Swachh award under Swachh Survekshan 2024. As part of the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0., GVMC secured the top place in the special category of 'Safai Mitra Surakshit Shehar' for its outstanding commitment to the safety and dignity of sanitation workers. The award was presented by Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal to AP Municipal Administration Principal Secretary Suresh Kumar, Mayor Peela Srinivasa Rao and GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg at the Swachh Survekshan 2024 awards presentation ceremony held in New Delhi on Thursday. Expressing pride in securing the first position in the 'Safai Mitra Surakshit Shehar' category, Mayor Peela Srinivasa Rao termed it as a matter of great honour for the city of Visakhapatnam and GVMC. He attributed credit to the safai workers, citizens, public representatives, corporators, Swachh Visakha ambassadors, residents' welfare associations, NGOs, and corporation officials and staff who contributed to the achievement. He congratulated GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg and called for his continued efforts to make Visakhapatnam the cleanest city in the ensuing 'Swachh Survekshan 2025' as well. GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg said Visakhapatnam has consistently maintained its image as one of the cleanest cities in the country, and this award is a result of citizen participation, efforts of the municipal workforce, and support from public representatives.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
GVMC launches AI-based traffic system pilot
Visakhapatnam: The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) launhed of a pilot initiative titled "Project SARTHI" (systematic augmented radial traffic & hoop induction), aimed at implementing an AI-based integrated traffic management system in Visakhapatnam. GVMC commissioner Kethan Garg said that this pilot project is being carried out in collaboration with the traffic police wing and involves the deployment of advanced technologies such as automatic number plate recognition, red light violation detection systems, and facial recognition systems. Five companies have been engaged to operate the system across five designated traffic stretches in the city. Brihaspathi Technologies from Hyderabad is managing the Akkayyapalem junction and Sampath Vinayaka temple area; Meta Fusion Technologies from Noida is handling Urvashi junction and Dwarka RTC complex area; Data Corp from Bengaluru is overseeing the R&B junction and the passport office at R&B NEC from Noida is managing Gopalapatnam petrol bunk junction and Simhachalam RTC complex; and CMS Computers Limited from Mumbai is handling Yendada Junction and the area around VIMS hospital, Old Dairy Farm. The pilot will run for one month, after which the most effective model will be selected for city-wide implementation. GVMC commissioner Ketan Garg added that the project's objective is to streamline vehicular traffic, reduce accidents and violations, and align with the broader vision of a smart, technology-driven city.
The Hindu
15-07-2025
- The Hindu
GVMC launches AI-based ‘Project SARTHI' for smart traffic management in Visakhapatnam
Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) Commissioner Ketan Garg on Tuesday announced the launch of 'Project SARTHI' (Systematic Augmented Radial Traffic & Hoop Induction), a pilot initiative to implement an AI-based Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS) in the city. The project, being implemented in coordination with the Traffic Police Department, involves five IT companies working across selected city stretches. It includes Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), Red Light Violation Detection (RLVD), and Facial Recognition Systems (FRS). ANPR and RLVD systems are being tested at Akkayyapalem, Urvasi, R&B, Gopalapatnam, and Yendada Junctions, while FRS is being piloted at Sampath Vinayaka Temple, Dwaraka RTC Complex, Passport Office-R&B, Simhachalam RTC Complex, and VIMS Hospital area. The Commissioner said the objective is to ensure smooth vehicular movement, reduce accidents and traffic violations, and align with smart city goals. The pilot will run for a month, following which the most effective model will be scaled up across the city. Garbage collection In a separate review meeting with Public Health Officials, Mr. Garg instructed them to personally inspect sanitation work every morning. He emphasised that daily household garbage collection through CLAP vehicles must be ensured, with each vehicle making three mandatory trips as per route maps. He also directed that microphone announcements be made during garbage collection to spread public awareness. Ward sanitary secretaries and inspectors were asked to identify and monitor frequent garbage dumping points and to move compactor bins periodically to avoid accumulation. Any waste found outside commercial complexes must attract penalties from shop owners, he said.
