It was another pleasant morning on September 5, 2025, for residents of Andhra Pradesh Housing Board Colony (APHBC) in Pedagantiyada, part of Ward 76 under the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC). As usual the residents gathered in the committee hall of the colony at 6:30 am for their daily newspaper reading session.
However, the atmosphere in the committee hall suddenly changed when P. Srinivas, a senior citizen, saw an advertisement in a Telugu local daily regarding the environmental public hearing to be held on October 8, 2025 for the proposed Gangavaram Cement Grinding Unit of M/s Ambuja Cements Limited (of the Adani Group) with an investment of ₹1,000 crore.
Mr. Srinivas immediately shared this information with his neighbor Mr. Mohan Rao who was sitting next to him. Mr Rao, who was already suffering from breathing problems due to his age, expressed concern about his deteriorating condition. Eventually, the news spread like wildfire in the residential colony and reached M. Srikanth, president of the APHBC Residents Welfare Association.
“Yes, this news has given us sleepless nights. Since the proposed site is just 200 meters away, residents in our area have united to oppose it. We have called a meeting to discuss ways to oppose the cement unit as it will be detrimental to us,” Mr Srikanth said.
Residents holding placards against the proposed cement plant on a polluted road towards Gangavaram Port in Pedagantiyada, Visakhapatnam. , Photo Courtesy: V. Raju
Mr Srikanth said there are a total of 1,256 lower income group (LIG) and middle-income group (MIG) houses on 64 acres in the colony, which was built during the tenure of then Chief Minister NT Rama Rao in 1982-1984. “Not only our colony, but more than 50 villages around the proposed cement plant, which fall under wards 74, 75 and 76 of GVMC, will be affected,” he said.
It may be mentioned here that the plant is proposed to be established on eight hectares of land owned by Adani Gangavaram Port Limited (a subsidiary of Adani Group) at survey numbers 97 P, 98, 99 P and 101 P at Pedagantyada village with an annual production capacity of four million metric tonnes of cement.
Mr Srikanth noted that thousands of people attended the public hearing organized by the AP Pollution Control Board on October 8 and strongly opposed the project. Due to huge protests the authorities canceled the public hearing. “The next date has not been announced yet,” Mr Srikanth said.
It’s been more than five weeks, but officials have not yet announced the date. PV Mukund Rao, environmental engineer, AP Pollution Control Board (Visakhapatnam regional office), said, “We canceled the first public hearing scheduled for October 8, 2025, due to protests by local people who expressed concerns over health hazards, environmental impact and lack of genuine consultation. As per rules, a fresh request for public hearing has to be submitted by the company concerned (Adani Group). We have not received any such request yet (November 20, By 2025) The cement plant is proposed to be developed on eight hectares of land already earmarked for industrial use inside the Adani Group’s Gangavaram port, avoiding new land acquisition.
Even though the AP Pollution Control Board has not issued any new announcement regarding the public hearing, local residents are concerned and worried.
In Visakhapatnam, residents under the aegis of Visakhapatnam Apartment Residents Welfare Association (VARWA) protested against the plant. , Photo Courtesy: V. Raju
Proposed Plant
Once a small coastal village in Visakhapatnam city, Pedagantyada has developed into a major suburb over the years. It became part of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) in 2005 and notable local landmarks include the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and Adani Group’s Gangavaram Port.
Industrial and port activities have created many opportunities for local people but have also brought challenges, with pollution being the main concern.
Construction of Gangavaram Port began in December 2005 and commercial operations began in August 2008, with official inauguration in July 2009. The port, initially a public-private partnership, was owned by a consortium of DVS Raju Group (58%), Warburg Pincus (32%) and the Government of Andhra Pradesh (10%). It was completely acquired by Adani Group in 2022. In 2009, it became the first Indian port to receive a fully loaded capsize coal import vessel and has increasingly become the third largest non-major port in India handling significant coal volumes.
Now, Adani Group through its subsidiary M/s Ambuja Cements Limited wants to set up a cement unit at Pedaganyada. The project site is connected to NH-16 (Chennai-Vishakhapatnam-Howrah) at a distance of 2.49 km.
Residents of Pedagantyada, Chingantyada, Kurmanapalem, Gangavaram, Gajuwaka, Paravada and surrounding areas are already experiencing dust and industrial pollution due to the presence of many small and medium industries. The frequent movement of trucks from city roads to industries in Gajuwaka assembly constituency – which is an industrial area – adds to the problem. The proposed cement plant has further heightened these concerns.
An overview of the APHB Colony which is close to the proposed site of the cement plant. , Photo Courtesy: V. Raju
Jyoti, a senior citizen of APHBC Colony, said, “I have been suffering from frequent throat infections and cough ever since I started living here with my children. I am worried that the proposed cement project in our neighborhood will worsen my condition.”
fear increased
Like Ms Jyoti, residents of Novus Gated Apartment, located about 100 meters from the proposed site, claim their situation is even more dire. They are already suffering from dust pollution caused by lorries heading towards Gangavaram port and other industrial areas, now, the proposed cement plant has further increased their fears.
Anil Kumar, a resident of Novus Apartment, said, “I have been living in this apartment for the last four years. Representatives of various industries have been coming to us with assurances about solutions to our problems like dust pollution, but none of them have given anything in writing. Meanwhile, this proposal of a cement factory near our residential apartment is adding to our troubles. We do not want this. This is our appeal.”
Ms Jyotsna, another resident, said, “We bought a flat in this apartment four years ago. We want to sell it now, but no one is interested because of the area. We are scared for our children. No one, including our local MLA, is paying attention to our plight.”
“Ours is a gated community of 400 flats, of which more than 100 flats are lying vacant as no one wants to rent or buy them due to pollution issues. The proposed site of this cement unit is visible from our terrace – just like how people on RK Beach Road can see the Bay of Bengal. We wonder how the government authorities thought of building such a polluting unit in our residential area. About 70% of our Gajuwaka assembly constituency Pollution is already in the area due to decades of industries,” Shankar said. Novus Apartment Welfare Committee leader Vishwanathan is a Tamil who has settled here due to business.
A view of the APHB Colony public park. , Photo Courtesy: V. Raju
environmental impact
According to reports, as per the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) notification dated 14 September 2006, the proposed project falls under Category B1 (Activity 3B). B1 projects are projects with potential environmental impacts that require a full EIA study to determine the extent of impact and necessary mitigation measures. These projects require public consultation, during which people can express their concerns about pollution and other issues.
Important issues related to pollution include the use of waste materials such as fly ash and slag as raw materials. Different types of cement—OPC, PPC, PSC and PCC—are manufactured depending on the market demand using clinker and gypsum. For better understanding, OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement) is used for high early-strength projects; PPC (Portland Pozzolana Cement) contains fly ash for durability and chemical resistance; PSC (Portland Slag Cement) contains blast-furnace slag; PCC (Portland Composite Cement) is made from various admixtures for general purpose construction. The process also generates various waste materials, including air emissions, wastewater, and solid waste from utilities. Emissions include dust from material handling, crushing and grinding. The main pollutant is suspended particulate matter.
Local vendors insist that they cannot leave the area because of their livelihood, even though pollution has driven away most local customers. “I run a small shop selling snacks and tea. If I make a profit of ₹500 a day, it is a very good day for me. People are staying away because of pollution. If the cement factory comes, I will have to close my shop,” said K, a shopkeeper at Sri Krishna Devaraya Junction in Pedagantayada. Suribabu said.
Residents holding placards against the plant at the entrance of APHB Colony. , Photo Courtesy: V. Raju
the fight will continue
Meanwhile, the Visakhapatnam Apartment Residents Welfare Association (VARWA) has stepped in to protest against the proposed cement project and has met every stakeholder, including local MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao, who represents the Gajuwaka assembly constituency.
Secretary of Varava Gajuwaka Mr. B.A. Trindha Swamy said thousands of people had gathered at the October 8 hearing to raise objections. About 400 policemen were deployed, but people did not allow the hearing to continue. Despite opposition from the people, even the authorities did not dare to operate it. VARWA members met local MLAs and councilors and warned that if efforts were not made to stop the plant, the elected representatives would have to face serious consequences in the future.
When contacted, Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivas Rao said, “I support the people. My concern is always with them. Whatever they want, I am ready to support.”
Mr Swamy of VARWA said, “We will leave no stone unturned to ensure that this plant does not come up in our area. We are joining hands with all the public representatives and political parties who support us in fighting this project. The Human Rights Forum (HRF) has also joined us.”
HRF Andhra Pradesh and Telangana coordination committee president M. Sarath and member VS Krishna said it is well known that cement plants produce toxic emissions that pose a serious threat to human health.
“The people of Gajuwaka and Pedagantyada deserve a government that values their lives more than mindless industrial expansion. They deserve clean air and safe water. Surprisingly, the Environmental Impact Assessment report itself mentions that settlements on the proposed site are just 130 meters apart – dangerously close and against state norms, which require a minimum distance of 500 meters between such units and human habitation. HRF Stands in full solidarity with the residents opposing the project. The proposed cement grinding unit should be scrapped altogether,” HRF leaders said.
