Pawan Kalyan Directs Full Audit Of Godavari Pollution Sources, Demands Action Plan
Deputy CM orders audit of pollution sources in Godavari, pushes river cleanup ahead of Pushkarams.
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Monday directed officials to conduct a comprehensive audit of pollutants and effluents entering the Godavari River, following his field inspection of pollution-affected stretches in East Godavari district. The directive focuses on identifying all sources of contamination and reviewing existing waste management and sewage treatment systems along the river. He also asked officials to submit a detailed report outlining both current measures and future action plans to curb pollution effectively.
As part of his visit, Pawan Kalyan, who also holds the environment portfolio, reviewed ongoing preparations for the upcoming Godavari Pushkarams scheduled next year. He reiterated that the event should be organised under the core theme of a “pollution-free Godavari.” Officials briefed him on beautification and infrastructure works along the riverbanks, while he assessed the progress of multiple riverfront development projects planned in Rajamahendravaram and surrounding areas.
The Deputy Chief Minister undertook an early morning boat journey from Rajamahendravaram Pushkar Ghat to Kotilingala Ghat to personally inspect polluted sections of the river. During the inspection, he visited Chintalamma Ghat, where untreated sewage from the city reportedly enters the Godavari through the Nalla Channel. He observed the conditions on-site, interacted with sanitation staff, and reviewed the waste segregation and preliminary treatment processes being carried out in the area.
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Officials informed him that approximately 55 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage is currently entering the Godavari, raising serious environmental concerns. Pawan Kalyan stressed that sewage treatment must be handled using scientifically sound methods and criticised the direct discharge of untreated waste into the river. He said the state must prioritise strengthening sewage treatment infrastructure to ensure only fully treated water is released into the river system.
He also reviewed funding and infrastructure development under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP), noting that administrative approval has been granted for ₹95 crore out of a total allocation of ₹416 crore. He directed that the funds be used to build modern treatment plants and upgrade existing systems to ensure long-term pollution control. During the inspection, he also examined allegations of industrial pollution, including effluent discharge from Andhra Paper Mills, and sought a detailed report from the State Pollution Control Board.
Later, Pawan Kalyan reviewed ongoing Pushkaram-related works at the Rajamahendravaram Municipal Corporation office along with ministers and senior officials. He reiterated that protecting the Godavari’s ecological health is a top priority for the government and called for coordinated action between departments to ensure effective implementation of pollution control measures before the Pushkaram festivities begin.
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