Boat Inspection, Bold Action: AP Rolls Out River Clean-Up Order

The Andhra Pradesh government has unveiled a large-scale Godavari restoration initiative aimed at curbing river pollution and ensuring cleaner waters before the 2027 Pushkaralu. The move follows Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s recent field inspection of pollution-affected stretches in Rajamahendravaram.

Acting swiftly after the visit, the government constituted a high-level Environment Protection Task Force to coordinate river conservation efforts and monitor pollution-control measures across major waterways. The task force will conduct periodic reviews and oversee implementation at the ground level.

To support the clean-up drive, authorities plan to utilize ₹100 crore earmarked by the Pollution Control Board, while additional funds may be mobilized through state environmental and sanitation programs. A centralized monitoring system is also being planned to track industrial discharges and other pollution sources in real time.

Official data highlights the scale of the challenge. More than 104 million litres of municipal sewage and 8.38 million litres of rural wastewater are estimated to enter the Godavari every day. Industrial pollution remains another major concern, with 32 million litres of effluents reportedly discharged daily from Andhra Paper Mills, while aquaculture activities contribute an additional 13.24 million litres of wastewater.

In Rajamahendravaram, officials estimate that nearly 50 million litres of untreated sewage reaches the river daily. Similar wastewater issues have been identified in several towns across the Godavari basin, prompting the government to direct urban local bodies to ensure that all sewage is treated through STPs before discharge.

As part of the Swachh Godavari – Pavitra Pushkaralu mission, the state will implement an extensive sanitation program across six districts. The initiative covers 262 panchayats , which will be transformed into sewage-free villages through improved drainage systems, wastewater management infrastructure, and household sanitation facilities.

The government has also announced a phased ban on single-use plastics in municipalities along the river basin and has instructed industries to adopt advanced treatment technologies and strengthen green cover around their facilities.

Officials say the initiative is designed not only to improve environmental conditions ahead of the Pushkaralu but also to establish a long-term framework for protecting one of Andhra Pradesh’s most important river ecosystems for future generations.