Pawan Kalyan’s On-Ground Godavari Inspection:
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan made a surprise early-morning visit to Rajamahendravaram on Monday to address the rising concerns of river pollution. Setting out at 6:00 AM, he traveled by boat from Pushkar Ghata to Kotilingalu Ghat to personally inspect the major pollution hotspots where drainage and industrial effluents flow into the Godavari River. Deeply concerned by the visible contamination, the Deputy CM ordered state and East Godavari district officials to conduct a comprehensive audit of all waste discharging points and submit an immediate report. He strictly mandated a visible, positive transformation in the river’s water management within the next six months, emphasizing that the state must protect its lifeline rivers like Godavari and Krishna.
‘Pollution-Free Godavari’ Theme for 2027 Pushkaralu:
The Deputy Chief Minister announced that the alliance government is determined to host the upcoming Godavari Pushkaralu (scheduled from June 26 to July 7, 2027) under the prestigious theme of a ‘Pollution-Free Godavari’. Pawan Kalyan made it clear that every single rupee spent on the festival must yield permanent benefits for the public and the river ecosystem, rather than being limited to paperwork. He revealed that out of the ₹416 crore allocated under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) by the Central Ministry of Jal Shakti, administrative sanctions for ₹95 crore have already been approved. He directed authorities to utilize these funds to construct state-of-the-art Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) using international technologies, ensuring that municipal sewage is scientifically treated before being released into the river.
Strict Directives on Industrial Waste Management:
During his inspection at Chintalamma Ghat, Pawan Kalyan closely scrutinized the Nalla Channel, which dumps nearly 55 MLD of Rajamahendravaram’s untreated city sewage directly into the river, and interacted with ground-level staff regarding current filtration methods. He also took a serious note of the industrial waste being released by Andhra Paper Mills. While Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board Chairman Krishnayya explained that the mill’s effluents are currently being diverted to distant island villages and alternative sites are being explored, the Deputy CM was not fully satisfied. He directed officials to fast-track these alternatives and issue stringent orders to the company’s management to build its own dedicated, high-tech treatment facility. Ministers Nadendla Manohar, Kandula Durgesh, and top district officials accompanied him during this high-level review.
