(THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM)
Visakhapatnam Port Authority added another Feather in its Cap. VPA bagged 3rd Rank in respect of Swachchta Pakhwada Awards
organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the only Major Port bagging the Award.

Dr. M. Angamuthu, IAS, Chairperson, VPA, along with T. Venu Gopal, Secretary and M. Hariya, Chief Engineer i/c., received the Swachchta Pakhwada Award on 01.02.2024 presented by the Hon’ble Minister (PSW) at New Delhi. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways set guidelines to implement Swachchta Pakhwada duly earmarking parameters in implementation. Ministry has taken into account the criteria for the Swachchta Pakhwada naming a few Initiatives for Swachchta message dissemination through Harbour and Ports, Adoption of Villages/Schools, Community for Water Sanitation and Hygiene improvement, Swachchta Audits, New innovative work/activity taken up with respect to Swachchta Abhiyan. Ministry has nominated teams to inspect the implementation of Swachchta Pakhwada in all Major Ports, where one team visited VPA during May 2023 and gave a report.

VPA has implemented the Swachchta Action Plan in its programmes/schemes/activities such as Cleaning of Wharf; repair of sheds; Auction and disposal of all unserviceable items/unclaimed goods; Painting with uniform colour code at all signage and boards; Cleaning and repair of Port roads; Modernizing all toilet complexes; placing Dustbins; Boards indicating cleanliness messages – Dos and Don’ts; Cleaning and repairing of all Drainages and Storm Water System; Plantation in open areas, avenues and corners; Regular training to staff to generate awareness and inculcate importance of clean environment; Solid waste collection, segregation, sorting and storage on ships; Liquid and faecal waste treatment before discharge etc.

Dr. M. Angamuthu, IAS, Chairperson, VPA, commended the entire VPA team in achieving 3rd Rank among all Major Ports the Swachchta Pakhwada Award for their strenuous efforts in up-keeping VPA’s standards in all aspects of cleanliness and related activities.