​Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan has announced an action plan titled Swachha Godavari – Pavitra Pushkaralu to make the Godavari river sewage-free and check the release of industrial and other pollutants into it in the vicinity of 262 identified Gram Panchayats.

For this purpose, RTGS (Real Time Governance Society)-style control room was planned to be set up, and a high-level task force has already been established. Funds available under the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) and Swachha Andhra Mission should be used for implementing the plan, if required, he stated. 

Addressing a review meeting at the Secretariat on Friday, Mr. Pawan Kalyan said as per observations by the AP Pollution Control Board, the Godavari river pollution caused by municipalities, industries and aquaculture reached critical levels. About 104 Million Litres (ML) of sewage from municipalities, 8.38 ML from rural areas, 32 ML from Andhra Paper Mills and 13.24 ML of aquaculture waste were being discharged into the river and it required urgent remedial action for protecting public health and safety. 

The Deputy Chief Minister expressed concern that huge volumes of untreated sewage from Rajamahendravaram, Kovvur, Narsapuram and Tanuku was being let into the river. Out of 75 ML of sewage generated by Rajamahendravaram city alone, 50 MLD was flowing directly into the Godavari. He told the APPCB to conduct regular inspections of industries and ensure adequate green cover to combat air pollution besides the use of latest technologies. 

Tiger tracking

In a separate review meeting on the movement of a tiger in Polavaram district, Mr. Kalyan ordered that Healing and Nurturing Units for Monitoring, Aid and Nursing of Wildlife (H.A.N.U.M.A.N) teams be deployed round the clock in the villages where the tiger was seen moving and told the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to personally supervise the operation. 

He wanted advanced technology to be used to track every movement of the feline so that it could be eventually deflected far away from the human habitations and safely put in some sanctuary. Also, he suggested that awareness camps should be organised in the affected villages and people advised against unnecessary movements in the forest, especially after dark.