VIJAYAWADA: The Industries Department vows to develop Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC) without causing harm to the environment and compromising the interests of silent stakeholders.
Participating in the orientation programme organised by Asian Development Bank (ADB) here on Monday, Commissioner of Industries Siddharth Jain stressed the need to generate employment and take steps for social inclusion and gender equality.
Addressing a meeting attended by ADB officials and various departments that are associated with the implementation of VCIC, Jain said that safeguards policy shall be implemented with utmost human dignity. He told the gathering that iconic development can be achieved and jobs could be increased with the support being extended by the State government for industrial infrastructure.
Environment specialist of ADB Ninette Pajarillaga and Environment Safeguards consultant Anik Ajmera mentioned that as per the ADB norms, VCIC falls under Category B project that needs monitoring and mitigation measures but will not fall under Category A that has the potential impact on the environment. He stressed the validity of environmental clearances and the presence of safeguards in bid document so that the contractors follow the safeguards procedures and ensure the rights of stakeholders are protected.
Social Safeguards Specialist for ADB V Chandrasekharan and others were present. Other speakers in the workshop highlighted the need for prevention and mitigation of harm to the people involved.