The Greater Visakhapatnam Citizens’ Forum (GVCF) has called for strict adherence to environmental regulations in the proposed hyperscale data centre project near Adavivaram and Mudasarlova, while also urging for urgent measures to address coal dust pollution in the city.

At a knowledge session organised at the Visakhapatnam Public Library on Tuesday, environmental experts, civil society representatives and citizens discussed the environmental implications of large-scale infrastructure projects and industrial pollution in Visakhapatnam.

Speaking on the proposed 160-acre data centre project, V.S. Krishna of the Human Rights Forum (HRF) said the site is located close to the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary and its eco-sensitive zone. While welcoming investments that generate employment and support sustainable growth, HRF and GVCF stressed that such development projects must comply fully with environmental laws. They alleged that a fact-finding team that visited the site on May 18 observed tree felling, land levelling and road-laying activities.

They further raised concerns over the project’s proximity to the Mudasarlova reservoir, a key drinking water source for the city, and sought greater transparency regarding the project’s water requirements and potential environmental impact.

The second session focused on coal dust pollution, a long-standing concern in the port city. GVCF secretary Capt. N. Viswanathan said that large volumes of coal handled at the Visakhapatnam and Gangavaram ports continue to affect air quality in several parts of the city. He highlighted the potential of a dust-suppression technology known as veneering, which, according to the forum, has shown positive results during trials conducted at the Visakhapatnam Port Authority.

The forum said that it has approached the National Green Tribunal seeking action on the issue and is awaiting regulatory clearance for wider implementation of the technology. According to GVCF, approval from the Central Pollution Control Board remains the final regulatory step before the technology can be adopted on a wider scale. The forum also advocated measures such as mechanical road sweepers, fog cannons, wind barriers, tyre-wash facilities, covered conveyor systems and enclosed storage facilities for coal.

GVCF president Sohan Hatangadi urged authorities to expedite action on pollution-control measures and ensure transparency in environmental governance, stressing that sustainable development should remain central to Visakhapatnam’s growth.