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The Hindu
5 hours ago
- General
- The Hindu
Plantation drive, awareness rallies mark World Environment Day in Visakhapatnam
Planting of saplings, rallies, awareness meetings and calls to shun the use of plastic marked the World Environment Day in the city on Thursday. District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad flagged off a 'green rally', taken out from the Kali Matha temple to the AU Convention Centre on Beach Road. The programme was organised under the aegis of the Forest Department, Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board, GVMC and other departments. The Collector said that a campaign was launched to plant 5 lakh saplings across the district. The target was to plant over a million saplings in the district. He called upon the organisers to ensure protection and growth of the plants. The Collector called upon the public to shun the use of plastic. He reminded that 'single-use plastic' has already been banned. Plastic is causing untold harm to public health, including cancer. It is also harming marine life, he said and commended Divis Labs, Coromandel and other industries and NGOs for becoming a part of the sapling promotion. Waltair Railway Division celebrated the day with enthusiasm and commitment, emphasising its dedication to environmental protection and sustainability. This year's theme, 'Beat Plastic Pollution,' highlights the need to end plastic pollution, and the division has actively focused on raising public awareness on plastic ban and promoting large-scale plantation drives. It organised a series of activities from May 22 to June 5. These initiatives were aimed at reducing plastic pollution and enhancing green cover across the division. Railway employees across the division pledged to adopt eco-friendly habits in their daily lives. Thousands of saplings of various species were planted at multiple locations, including railway colonies and community spaces. The Dolphin Nose Railway Colony witnessed active participation of ADRM (Operations) Manoj Kumar Sahoo, ADRM (Infra) E. Santharam, and other branch officers. Further, ECoRWWO organised community plantation programmes to preserve biodiversity and enhance green cover. ECoR WWO president Jyotsna Bohra, along with vice-president Madhusmita Sahoo, Secretary Ankita Sharma, and other executive members, graced the event at Anurag Montessori School. Cleanliness campaigns were held at key stations and colonies including Duvvada, Vizianagaram, Simhachalam, Srikakulam Road, Koraput, Rayagada, Jagdalpur, and Kirandul, emphasising the importance of waste management and plastic reduction. Chief Medical Officer D. Sarath Babu, along with his team, participated in mass plantation drives, reinforcing the link between a healthy environment and public health. A 'Swachh Bharat' drive was organised to commemorate the World Environment Day, at Duvvada Railway Station on Thursday. A total of 28 persons, representing various associations, participated in the clean and green initiative, organised by K. Eswar, Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee (ZRUCC) Member and MSN Murthy, secretary, Manavavikas Vedika. The announcements on eco-awareness, made on the public address system by Durga Laxmi, MS Rao Duvvada Railway staff, drew the attention of passengers boarding and alighting trains at the station. The clean and green programme was followed by free distribution of RO water bottles to around 450 passengers travelling in general compartments of Shirdi Express and Prasanthi Express by Kameswara Rao and Bhaskar.
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
International Fleet Review and MILAN to be conducted in Visakhapatnam in February 2026
An International Fleet Review will be organised in Visakhapatnam in the third week of February 2026 under the auspices of the Indian Navy. The IFR is described as an international maritime exercise conducted to improve relations with the navies of different countries. In this regard, Chief of Staff of the Visakhapatnam-based Eastern Naval Command (ENC) Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena met Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand to discuss about the IFR and the conduct of MILAN-2026. Visakhapatnam district Collector Harendhira Prasad and officials of the VMRDA and Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) participated in the meeting virtually. Mr. Vijayanand assured that the government would provide all support to make the event a grand success. 'The conduct of IFR will not only benefit India internationally but also Andhra Pradesh in particular. Visakhapatnam will get good recognition. Similarly, it will get international recognition in terms of tourism,' the Chief Secretary observed. He said since the President, the Prime Minister, and other dignitaries would be attending the fleet review, appropriate arrangements should be made accordingly. 'In view of the IFR, there is a need to take steps to beautify Visakhapatnam in all respects, especially in terms of improving roads, beautification, and installation of lights,' he advised the Visakhapatnam Collector, the VMRDA, the VPA, the NHAI, and the ENC officials. The Chief Secretary further called for speedy completion of various civil works that were in progress. He advised Mr. Harendhira Prasad to take steps to improve beautification and other infrastructure. Mr. Sameer Saxena said the IFR and MILAN-2026 would be held in Visakhapatnam from February 14 to 24. He said the President, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries would attend. He further said that 145 countries had been invited, and naval chiefs and representatives of these countries would participate. Principal Secretary (GAD) Mukesh Kumar Meena, Municipal Administration Principal Secretary S. Suresh Kumar, IFR Commodore Aby Mathew, AP Naval Officer-in-Charge Commodore Rajnish Sharma, Civil Military Liaison Officer Y.K. Krishna Rao participated in the meeting.
Hans India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
AM/NS facilitates BC boys hostel building
Visakhapatnam: As part of its corporate social responsibility initiative, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India Private Limited (AM/NS India) has constructed a BC Boys Hostel Building at Islampeta in Visakhapatnam. Inaugurating the building here on Sunday, Collector MN Harendhira Prasad appreciated the AM/NS India for its initiative in reaching out to the students. The inauguration of the hostel building was held in the presence of M. Ravindranath, executive director, AM/NS India Pvt Ltd., DS Varma, Head-HR and Admin. and K Sridevi, District BC Welfare Officer. The building constructed with a budget of Rs 97 lakh can accommodate around 200 students. Explaining the initiatives taken by AM/NS India Pvt Ltd earlier, Head-HR and Admin DS Varma informed the Collector that the solar installation works of 40-KW at Rani Chandramathi Hospital, 50-KW at Visakha Institute of Medical Sciences, 50-KW at Government Hospital for Mental Care and 25-KW at Indira Gandhi Zoological Park have been initiated under the CSR initiatives and work for these are set to start soon. AM/NS has so far supported and installed 300-KW of solar power at various government hospitals, old age homes, colleges, etc in the last two years. Also, a towing vehicle and 32 motorcycles were given to the City Commissioner of Police for the effective traffic management in Visakhapatnam last year.
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
International Yoga Day: 127 compartments to accommodate 2.5 lakh participants
The district administration is busy making arrangements for the 'International Yoga Day' event scheduled to be held in the city on June 21. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan and many other dignitaries set to attend the programme, the event is likely to gain global attention. A series of coordination meetings are being organised at the collectorate in this regard. The meeting on Saturday (May 24) was presided over by Minister for Home V. Anitha. During the meeting, Visakhapatnam Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad gave a presentation on the plan and other arrangements to the attending Ministers and other public representatives. He called for strict coordination among various departments, stressing the need to achieve a Guinness World Record. He said the 2.5 lakh participants of the event should be arrangedalong a 26.5-km stretch from RK Beach's Kali Mata Temple to Bheemili. The main stage will be set up along a 4-km stretch between Kali Mata Temple and YMCA, where dignitaries such as the Prime Minister, Union Ministers, Governor, Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, other Ministers and prominent personalities will participate. He said 127 compartments will be arranged along the 26.5-km stretch — one compartment every 200 meters. Each will accommodate at least 1,000 participants. Each will have an in-charge person, a medical team and 10 volunteers drawn from NCC and NSS. Small stages, sound systems and LED screens will be provided at each location. Using maps, he explained the locations where the compartments will come up and explained the entry route of vehicles to the venues. The programme will cover both sides of the road (RK Beach to Bheemunipatnam) for 9 km and one side of the road for the remaining 19 km. Around 1.24 lakh participants will be positioned along the main road, and the remaining participants will be accommodated in other venues, he said. Mr. Harendhira Prasad also said that yoga sessions will also be held along the coastline. As part of the safety measures, the administration will deploy lifeguards and professional swimmers along the coast. He said there are also plans to offer organic breakfasts. He also stated that the officials are coordinating with various yoga associations across the district to provide training. The Collector said that Trainer of Trainers (ToTs) and master trainers have already been identified, and they will impart training at the mandal level, ward secretariat levels in three phases. He added that staff involved in traffic control, signage setup, infrastructure development and the execution of yoga routines will be trained in their roles. Alternate arrangements Mr. Harendhira Prasad also said that in case of any rain, arrangements will be made on AU Engineering College Grounds to accommodate about 10,000 people. Dignitaries like the Prime Minister, Union Ministers and the Chief Minister will participate in the event at this venue. Earlier in the day, a large number of personnel from police, the Greyhounds special force, APSP, and Navy as well as retired army and police personnel took part in the 'Yogandhra' campaign, being organised as part of month-long celebrations ahead of the International Yoga Day event on RK Beach.
Hans India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Civic body functions sans full-fledged chief for long
Visakhapatnam: This is probably the first time that the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has been functioning sans a Commissioner for a long time. Although district Collector MN Harendhira Prasad is heading the corporation as in-charge Commissioner, a full-fledged Commissioner is yet to be appointed. Even as the State government is considering Visakhapatnam as the financial capital, IT and tourism hub, depriving the corporation of a full-fledged Commissioner comes as a surprise for many. As a result, the administration of the civic body has gone haywire. Without a dedicated Commissioner, accountability of the GVMC staff has gone for a toss. With the Collector already shouldering a number of responsibilities, focusing much on the GVMC has become a difficult task. The alliance that was quite proactive in unseating former Mayor G Hari Venkata Kumari and former Deputy Mayor Jiyyani Sridhar is not evincing keen interest in appointing the Commissioner for the GVMC, point out YSRCP leaders. Even as the Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development P Narayana and 20-Point programme chairman Lanka Dinakar announced that a Commissioner would soon be appointed for the GVMC in their earlier visits to Visakhapatnam, steps are yet to be taken in this regard. During the YSRCP's tenure, the GVMC Commissioner used to get transferred at frequent intervals. This happened especially so when the Commissioner refused to dance to the tunes of the key leaders of the YSRCP. Apparently, there were several scams during the YSRCP tenure amounting to thousands of crores of rupees, including the TDR scam in Visakhapatnam. A full-fledged Commissioner for the corporation is required to expose these scams. But why does the NDA government not paying attention to appointing a Commissioner for a long time after the previous Commissioner P. Sampath Kumar got transferred in January, just after six months of assuming charge, turns out to be a million-dollar question.
