Unchecked effluents mar the coastline; concern mounts over drainage flows into RK beach

Unntreated wastewater and urban drainage streaming directly onto the iconic Ramakrishna (RK) beach have reignited serious environmental concerns among citizens, morning walkers, and environmental observers in Visakhapatnam.

Recent heavy spells and continuous showers exacerbated by low-pressure systems forming over the Bay of Bengal have triggered widespread urban runoff across the city. These downpours swell open storm-water drains and low-capacity underground drainage channels, causing untreated sewage and accumulated litter to breach protective barriers and spill directly onto prominent coastal stretches like RK Beach.

The discoloured water cutting across the sand and emptying straight into the Bay of Bengal, leaving dark patches on the shoreline and carrying accumulated litter along the tidal stretch.

Regular visitors to the coast have repeatedly voiced dismay over how urban run-off and sewage outlets continue to compromise the aesthetic and ecological health of the city’s premier tourist destination.

While civic authorities have previously outlined plans to plug and divert major open drains to Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) under upgraded underground drainage (UGD) networks, gaps in field-level execution remain a persistent issue.

Municipal administration leadership has stressed that rigorous interventions are vital to ensure that untreated municipal waste does not breach the coastline, yet citizens point out that immediate countermeasures are urgently required to protect marine life and public health along the Vizag littoral zone

Speaking to The Hindu, GVMC superintending engineer (water supply & UGD projects) Ch. Yedukondalu said, “GVMC is currently working on diversion of certain Strom water drains linking with the sewerage treatment plants. The issue will be resolved soon”.