The Human Rights Forum (HRF) has issued a forceful call for the immediate cancellation of Ambuja Cements Ltd.’s (ACL) plans to construct a massive cement grinding unit in Visakhapatnam. The proposed facility, with an annual production capacity of 4 million metric tons, is slated for Pedagantyada, a densely populated area within the city.
According to the HRF, introducing such a hazardous and highly polluting industry into an already crowded residential zone is utterly irresponsible. They argue it represents a direct attack on residents’ fundamental rights to health, safety, and a clean environment. The forum has specifically urged the A.P. Pollution Control Board (APPCB) to promptly cancel the scheduled public hearing for October 8th, deeming it inappropriate given the inherent risks.
In a recent statement, M. Sarat, HRF AP State vice-president, and V.S. Krishna, HRF AP&TG Coordination Committee member, highlighted the well-documented dangers associated with cement production. “It is widely known that cement plants, whether they are grinding units or full-scale factories, release a variety of toxic emissions that severely threaten human health,” they stated. These dangerous airborne particles are known culprits behind chronic respiratory conditions, skin irritations, eye problems, and significant long-term damage to the cardiovascular system.
Numerous scientific investigations consistently demonstrate that communities residing near cement manufacturing facilities face a substantially elevated risk of developing serious health issues such as asthma, bronchitis, various cancers, and even premature death. Introducing such an industrial operation into the heart of residential areas like Pedagantyada and Gajuwaka, which are already struggling with existing pollution, is simply unacceptable and morally indefensible.
The HRF further emphasized that the Visakhapatnam region is already grappling with dangerously high levels of air, water, and soil pollution. This existing environmental degradation has already jeopardized the well-being of thousands of local families, making the addition of another major pollutant a grave concern.
The residents of Pedagantyada and Gajuwaka are entitled to breathe clean air and have access to safe water. They deserve to live without the constant anxiety that their surroundings are being poisoned and their health is being systematically destroyed, asserted the HRF. The organization reiterated its demand for the proposed ACL cement grinding unit to be scrapped entirely.