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However, the ambiance within the committee corridor abruptly modified when P. Srinivas, a senior citizen, seen an commercial in a Telugu vernacular every day relating to an environmental public listening to scheduled for October 8, 2025, for the proposed Gangavaram Cement Grinding Unit of M/s Ambuja Cements Limited (of the Adani Group), with an funding of ₹1,000 crore.
Mr. Srinivas instantly shared the knowledge together with his neighbour Mr. Mohan Rao who was sitting beside him. Already fighting respiration points as a consequence of his age, Mr. Rao voiced concern about his worsening situation. Eventually, the information unfold like wildfire by the residential colony and reached M. Srikanth, president of the APHBC Residents’ Welfare Association.
“Yes, the information has been giving us sleepless nights. As the proposed web site is simply 200 metres away, the residents have joined forces to oppose it in our space. We referred to as for a gathering to debate methods to oppose the cement unit as it is going to be detrimental to us,” mentioned Mr. Srikanth.
Residents holding placards in opposition to the proposed cement plant on a polluted street in direction of Gangavaram Port at Pedagantyada in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: V. RAJU
The colony has a complete of 1,256 Low Income Group (LIG) and Middle-Income Group (MIG) homes, throughout 64 acres, in-built 1982–1984 throughout the tenure of the then Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao, Mr. Srikanth acknowledged. “Not solely our colony, however greater than 50 villages across the proposed cement plant, which fall below Wards 74, 75 and 76 of the GVMC, will probably be affected,” he added.
It could also be talked about right here that the plant has been proposed to be established on eight hectares of land owned by Adani Gangavaram Port Limited (a subsidiary of the Adani Group) at Survey Nos. 97P, 98, 99P and 101P in Pedagantyada village, with an annual manufacturing capability of 4 million metric tonnes of cement.
Mr. Srikanth talked about that hundreds of individuals attended the general public listening to held by the A.P. Pollution Control Board on October 8 and strongly opposed the challenge. Due to the sturdy opposition, the authorities cancelled the general public listening to. “The subsequent date has not been introduced but,” mentioned Mr. Srikanth.
It has been over 5 weeks, however the authorities have nonetheless not introduced a date. The A.P. Pollution Control Board (Visakhapatnam regional workplace) environmental engineer P.V. Mukunda Rao mentioned, “We cancelled the primary public listening to held on October 8, 2025, as a consequence of opposition from the locals who expressed considerations over well being hazards, environmental affect and lack of real session. As per the principles, a contemporary request for a public listening to needs to be submitted by the corporate involved (the Adani Group). We haven’t obtained any such request but (as of November 20, 2025). The cement plant is proposed to be developed on eight hectares of land already earmarked for industrial use contained in the Gangavaram Port of the Adani Group, avoiding contemporary land acquisition.”
Even although the A.P. Pollution Control Board has not issued any new announcement relating to a public listening to, native residents stay anxious and anxious.
Residents below the aegis of Visakhapatnam Apartment Residents’ Welfare Association (VARWA) staging a protest in opposition to the plant, in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: V. RAJU
The proposed plant
Once a small coastal village in Visakhapatnam metropolis, Pedagantyada has grown into a significant suburb through the years. It turned a part of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) in 2005 and notable native landmarks embody the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and Gangavaram Port of the Adani Group.
Industrial and port actions have created many alternatives for the locals however have additionally introduced challenges, with air pollution being the primary concern.
The development of Gangavaram Port started in December 2005 and business operations commenced in August 2008, with the official opening in July 2009. The port, initially a public–personal partnership, was owned by a consortium comprising the DVS Raju Group (58%), Warburg Pincus (32%) and the Government of Andhra Pradesh (10%). It was totally acquired by the Adani Group in 2022. In 2009, it turned the primary Indian port to obtain a totally loaded capesize coal import vessel and shortly grew to develop into the third-largest non-major port in India, dealing with vital coal volumes.
Now, the Adani Group by its subsidiary M/s Ambuja Cements Limited needs to arrange the cement unit at Pedagantyada. The challenge web site is related to NH-16 (Chennai–Visakhapatnam–Howrah) at a distance of two.49 km.
The residents of Pedagantyada, Chinagantyada, Kurmannapalem, Gangavaram, Gajuwaka, Parawada and surrounding areas are already experiencing mud and industrial air pollution because of the presence of quite a few small and medium industries. Constant motion of vans from town roads to industries within the Gajuwaka Assembly Constituency—an industrial space—provides to the issue. The proposed cement plant has heightened these worries.
An overview of the APHB Colony which is near the proposed web site of the cement plant. | Photo Credit: V. RAJU
Jyoti, a senior citizen from the APHBC Colony mentioned, “I’ve been affected by a persistent throat an infection and cough since I began residing right here with my youngsters. I’m involved that the proposed cement challenge in our neighbourhood will solely make my situation worse.”
Heightened fears
Like Ms Jyoti, residents of Novus Gated Apartments, situated about 100 metres from the proposed web site, declare that their scenario is even dire. They already endure from mud air pollution attributable to lorries heading in direction of Gangavaram Port and different industrial areas, now, the proposed cement plant has heightened their fears.
Anil Kumar, a resident of Novus Apartments mentioned, “I’ve been residing on this condo for the final 4 years. Representatives of assorted industries have been coming to us with assurances about remedial measures for our issues, like mud air pollution, however none of them have given something in writing. Meanwhile, this proposal for a cement manufacturing facility close to our residential condo is including to our troubles. We don’t need it. This is our attraction.”
Another resident, Ms. Jyotsna, mentioned, “We purchased a flat on this condo 4 years in the past. We need to promote it now, however nobody is due to the realm. We are scared for our youngsters. No one, together with our native MLA, is being attentive to our plight.”
“Ours is a gated group of 400 flats, out of which over 100 flats are mendacity vacant as a result of nobody needs to hire or purchase them as a consequence of air pollution points. The proposed web site of this cement unit is seen from our terrace—identical to how individuals on RK Beach Road can see the Bay of Bengal. We surprise how authorities officers considered constructing such a polluting unit in our residential space. Almost 70% of our Gajuwaka Assembly phase is already within the air pollution zone as a consequence of a long time of industries,” mentioned Shankar Viswanathan, chief of the Novus Apartments Welfare Committee, a Tamilian who has settled right here as a consequence of enterprise.
A view of the APHB Colony public park. | Photo Credit: V. RAJU
Environmental affect
According to reviews, as per the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) notification dated September 14, 2006, the proposed challenge falls below Category B1 (Activity 3B). B1 initiatives are these with potential environmental impacts requiring a full EIA examine to find out the extent of affect and essential mitigation measures. These initiatives require public session, throughout which individuals can specific their considerations about air pollution and different points.
Important pollution-related points embody the usage of waste supplies corresponding to fly ash and slag as uncooked supplies. Different varieties of cement—OPC, PPC, PSC and PCC—are manufactured relying on market demand utilizing clinker and gypsum. For higher perceive, OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement) is used for prime early-strength initiatives; PPC (Portland Pozzolana Cement) contains fly ash for sturdiness and chemical resistance; PSC (Portland Slag Cement) contains blast-furnace slag; PCC (Portland Composite Cement) is made with numerous blends for general-purpose development. The course of additionally generates numerous waste supplies, together with air emissions, wastewater and strong waste from utilities. Emissions embody mud from materials dealing with, crushing and grinding. The important pollutant is suspended particulate matter.
The native distributors stress that they can’t go away the realm due to their livelihoods, despite the fact that air pollution has pushed away most native clients. “I run a small store promoting snacks and tea. If I earn ₹500 revenue in a day, that’s a fantastic day for me. People are protecting away as a consequence of air pollution. If the cement manufacturing facility comes up, I must shut my store,” mentioned Okay. Suribabu, a shopkeeper at Sri Krishna Devaraya Junction in Pedagantyada.
Residents holding placards in opposition to the plant on the entrance of APHB Colony. | Photo Credit: V. RAJU
Fight will proceed
Meanwhile, the Visakhapatnam Apartment Residents Welfare Association (VARWA) has stepped in, protesting in opposition to the proposed cement challenge and assembly each stakeholder, together with native MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao, who represents the Gajuwaka Assembly Constituency.
Mr. B.A. Trinadha Swamy, secretary of VARWA Gajuwaka, mentioned that hundreds of individuals gathered on the October 8 listening to to boost objections. Around 400 police personnel had been deployed, however individuals didn’t permit the listening to to proceed. Even officers didn’t dare to conduct it within the face of public opposition. The VARWA members met the native MLA and corporators, warning that if efforts are usually not made to cease the plant, elected representatives will face severe penalties sooner or later.
When contacted, Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao mentioned, “I help the individuals. My concern is all the time with them. Whatever they need, I’m able to help.”
Mr. Swamy from VARWA added, “We will go away no stone unturned to make sure that this plant doesn’t come up in our space. We are becoming a member of fingers with all public representatives and political events who help us in preventing this challenge. The Human Rights Forum (HRF) has additionally joined us.”
The HRF Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Coordination Committee president M. Sarath and member V.S. Krishna mentioned that it’s well-known that cement crops produce poisonous emissions that pose severe dangers to human well being.
“The individuals of Gajuwaka and Pedagantyada deserve a authorities that values their lives greater than senseless industrial growth. They deserve clear air and protected water. Surprisingly, the environmental affect evaluation report itself mentions that the proposed web site has habitations simply 130 metres away—dangerously shut and in opposition to State norms, which require a minimal distance of 500 metres between such items and human habitation. The HRF stands in full solidarity with the residents opposing the challenge. The proposed cement grinding unit ought to be scrapped altogether,” the HRF leaders mentioned.
