Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has instructed the Pollution Control Board to conduct regular checks to prevent industrial pollutants from entering the Godavari River. The pollution levels in the river have reached a critical point due to sewage discharge from municipalities, industrial areas, rural regions, and aquaculture activities. Approximately 104 million liters of sewage are released daily into the river, with Andhra Paper Mills alone contributing 32 million liters of waste each day.
The situation is exacerbated by the discharge of 8.38 million liters of sewage from rural areas and significant amounts of industrial waste into the river on a daily basis. Moreover, aquaculture operations in Konaseema and West Godavari districts discharge 13.24 million liters of wastewater daily. Pawan Kalyan, who also oversees the environment portfolio, has directed officials to take immediate steps to address pollution caused by sewage, industrial effluents, and aquaculture waste.
Efforts are underway to ensure that urban sewage undergoes proper treatment before being released into the Godavari River. Pawan Kalyan has mandated the construction of Sewage Treatment Plants in every municipality to match the sewage volume generated. To ensure a pollution-free environment for the upcoming Godavari Pushkarams, he has initiated the ‘Swachh Godavari – Pavitra Pushkaralu’ action plan.
