Visakhapatnam civic body seals 58 shops for illegal waste dumping

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation sealed 58 shops across the city on Tuesday for illegally disposing waste on roads and in public spaces, collecting penalties totalling ₹4.36 lakh in the process. The enforcement action targeted retailers who were discarding refuse in drains and roadside areas instead of following prescribed waste management protocols.

GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg directed shop owners to adhere to proper waste disposal practices, emphasizing the need to store refuse in designated dustbins and hand over waste to municipal collection vehicles operated by CLAP (Cluster Level Accumulation Point) on a daily basis. The commissioner's directive aims to address persistent sanitation violations in commercial areas across the municipality.

The rapid enforcement action underscores mounting civic pressure to maintain cleanliness standards in Visakhapatnam's retail districts. Municipal officials have warned that continued violations will result in further penalties and potential business restrictions. The drive is part of a broader initiative to improve public health and environmental standards by ensuring merchants comply with waste management regulations.