Green Visakha, the mega project aimed at curbing pollution in Vizag will be launched by Chief Minister Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy on March 25 at the airport. The project aims at planting 40 lakh saplings in the coming five years with a target of eight lakh saplin-gs each year; Vuda leads the project with its technical and supervisory support.

The Pollution Control Board and the district administration are coordinating the project with the support of public sector undertakings and industries in the city. On Monday, Vuda vice-chairman Mr Kona Sasidhar along with Coromandel vice-president Mr G.S.N. Reddy, inspected the area of plantation at the airport, where the CM is going to launch the project by planting saplings.

Since the airport area is identified as a sensitive location of pollution, it was decided to develop greenery here, said Mr Sasidhar. A total of 5,000 saplings will be planted on the day, marking the launch of the Green Visakha project by the Chief Minister, he said.

An area of 12 acres at the airport has been identified for plantation and Corom-andel has been assigned the responsibility of developing a green shield with support from Vuda. Mr Sasidhar directed DFO of Vuda B.V.A. Krishnam-urthy, to make arrangements for the plantation.

The Deputy General Manager of Coromandel KV Ramana Murthy, VUDA and Coromandel officials attended.