Pawan Kalyan's election campaign revolves around this small fishing village in Andhra Pradesh

On a mild afternoon in April, a breeze blows over the crowded houses of the fishing village of Gangavaram, along the coast of Visakhapatnam, in Andhra Pradesh. It carries fine particles of coal dust that it deposits in homes to form a thin layer of objects.

"See how the trees on this hill are blackened by coal dust," said Sreenivasulu, a local resident who works as a bus driver.

"Gangavaram was very prosperous. Because of the port, many are struggling with various diseases. The coal dust of the harbor invades our region and settles on all surfaces. Even if we put a lid on the water utensils, dust gets into it, "he said.

For some 20,000 voters in Gangavaram, pollution is a major problem, making it one of Jana's fundamental problems. Sena election campaign, leader and actor Pawan Kalyan. Kalyan introduces himself to Gajuwaka, which is the largest constituency of Andhra Pradesh in terms of the electorate (more than 3 lakh voters) and includes Gangavaram.

Jana Sena's chief has a solution for Gangavaram: he has promised to move about 6,000 homes to a pollution-free zone. Gangavaram has already moved once before. Nearly forty years ago, the village, composed mainly of fishermen, was moved to its current location during the construction of the state-owned steel mill in Visakhapatnam.

Not everyone is opposed to a move. Lakshmi, who was mopping the floor of her house with two rooms, showed a black water of dust.

"We are struggling because of pollution. Coal dust settles on the food we prepare and the water we drink. Even if we wash clothes, it's the same. It's very annoying. I hope they will remove this village and move it elsewhere, "she said.

Most of the cargo handled by Gangavaram Port Limited (LPG) is coal. Data for 2018 show that of the 22.49 million tonnes of cargo transiting the port, 16.21 million tonnes were coal. Respiratory and other health problems due to pollution have been the subject of debate since the opening of the port in 2009.

"The main problem is that of transport vehicles. Pieces of coal fall from the trucks and are crushed under the tires. These are blown away by the wind, "said R Lakshmi Narayana, environmental engineer at the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Board.

Narayana stated that the port used a number of measures to combat air pollution. Port authorities have also installed air quality controllers in the area to check for particulate levels in the air.

For the month of February this year, the port's website indicated that the average PM 10 concentration was 30 and the average PM 2.5 concentration was 24. However, Narayana has stated that the figures found during the inspections were between 85 and 90 for PM 10.

The management of Gangavaram Port Limited (LPG) stated that the officials of the pollution control commission went to March 31 and reported that PM10 levels at 3 locations were 45, 59 and 31, which is significantly below legal standards (100 micro grams / cum).

A village that seeks better medical facilities, jobs

Another problem in the village is the lack of medical facilities to treat the ills badociated with pollution.

"There is no hospital here. Whenever a politician comes, they set up a camp and take us to the hospital on a bus, if necessary. The nearest hospital is in Gajuwaka, "said PV Tatapai, a 55-year-old fisherman.

Jobs, or their absence, are also among the demands of local residents. They say that during the development of the port area, a wall was built around it and forbade him access to the beach.

"They did not allow us to go to the sea by building a wall. They stole our livelihood. They said they would give jobs, but only those who have the influence have, "said Dhanraj, a 35-year-old fisherman.

As part of the rehabilitation program, the fishermen were promised jobs and a jetty would be built at a cost of Rs 10 crore on Yarada beach, about 10 km away.

The proposal ran up against resistance from fishermen who insisted that The pier was built at Nallamarammapatalu, at the foot of Yarada Hill, and argued that it would avoid a trip around the hill to reach the beach.There are currently no jetty in both locations.

"The construction of the pier is part of the R & R package and is the responsibility of the Andhra Pradesh Government under the concession contract.The Australian Government has created 295 jobs for the villagers and 297 for Dibbapalem," GPL said in a statement. a commu nique., another village affected by the project located 3 km. The villagers allegedly alleged that persons in employment had been hired under contract for a salary of about 8,000 rupees a month

. "My experience should have made me earn Rs. 30,000. I am made to do minor work. My position does not increase, "said the employee under the guise of anonymity.

The GPL rejected the allegation that all fishermen were hired on a permanent basis and are badessed annually.
"The GPL promised and provided 600 jobs. They are not contractual but regularly. Since entering the port, GPL is paying annual increases of at least 7 to 10% per annum, "said GPL management.

CH Narsing Rao, member of the PMO Secretariat of State , blamed the port authorities for turning a blind eye to the demands of the village fishermen. "The port wants to build a pier in Yarada, but it is not a convenient place.The villagers have lost their livelihoods, only 600 any of them have found a job, how will the others survive? ", he said.

But he is not convinced that the solution of Jana Sena's leader is viable.

"problem, this is not a trivial matter," Rao said.

Palla Srinivas Rao of TDP, who is the deputy of the constituency, said that even the state government could have moved the village.

"Pawan Kalyan said he would change the village, there are nearly 6,000 houses, if the government wants it, he can do it, but is it feasible, that's the question," he said. he declared.

A resident of Gangavaram said that a large number of residents had voted for the TDP in the last elections

"He (Srinivas Rao) promised to work for the fisherman, to provide them with jobs and to ensure the construction of the jetty." Some fishermen found a job but d & # 39; There has been nothing in the past five years since the harbor wall was built, and many fishermen have lost their livelihoods, "said the resident, who did not want to be named. [19659004Thiscouldexplainwhysomeresidentshopethiselectionwillmakeadifference

I think that Pawan Kalyan will win and do something for our village. We are poor and suffering. If Ganga wishes, we eat or stay hungry, "said GH Guvaiya, a 53-year-old resident.