Pawan Kalyan orders action plan to stop sewage, effluents entering Godavari near Pushkar Ghat

Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan inspecting river Godavari to assess the pollution at Pushkar Ghat in Rajamahendravaram city on Monday.

| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan on Monday (May 25, 2026) directed Rajamahendravaram Municipal Corporation authorities to prepare an action plan to prevent the release of untreated sewage and effluents from Andhra Paper Limited’s mill into the river Godavari in Rajamahendravaram city.Accompanied by Mission Director of the Mission for Clean Krishna, Godavari Canals G.C. Kishore Kumar and Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board chairman P. Krishnaiah, Mr. Pawan Kalyan inspected the sites from where untreated effluents and sewage water are being allowed into the Godavari river.Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan inspecting the sites where untreated sewage and effluents enter the Godavari, in Rajamahendravaram on Monday. Video: I&PR A.P. pic.twitter.com/hy44MOCyqo— The Hindu - Andhra Pradesh (@THAndhra) May 25, 2026Sailing on a punt, Mr. Pawan Kalyan, Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar and Minister for Tourism and Culture Kandula Durgesh inspected the river Godavari along the ghats between Pushkar Ghat and Kotligalaghat, where Andhra Paper Limited releases its effluents into the river.Asked about the levels of water pollution in the river Godavari, Rajamahendravaram Municipal Commissioner Rahul Meena claimed that only 15% of the 55 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage water is being treated near Kotilingala Ghat. The water samples collected from the Godavari river were also reviewed. The sewage water generated from the entire city is also let into the river through sewage drains.Mr. Pawan Kalyan directed Mr. Rahul Meena to come up with an action plan with a permanent solution, preventing entry of effluents and untreated sewage water into the river Godavari. “The Godavari Pushkarams-2027 will be a global event. It will be an occasion to commit to achieving ‘zero pollution’ of river Godavari. The fund flow can be pursued if the action plan is ready,” he said.On the return journey, Mr. Pawan Kalyan reviewed the ongoing Godavari beautification works at Pushkar Ghat and other ghats. East Godavari District Collector Kirthi Chekuri, Rajamahendravaram City MLA Adireddi Srinivas, Rajamahendravaram Rural MLA Gorantla Butchaiah Chowdary and other officials were present. Published - May 25, 2026 01:28 pm IST