Deputy Chief Minister and Environment and Forest Minister K. Pawan Kalyan has directed the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) to conduct a comprehensive scientific study on water pollution in the Godavari River between Rajamahendravaram and Antarvedi and the drains in the region.

A State-level task force headed by the Principal Secretary to Environment and Forest and APPCB Member Secretary was constituted in May to address the pollution of the Godavari. The Collectors of the districts of East Godavari, Kakinada, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema and West Godavari are members of the task force. 

“The APPCB will collect water samples from the Godavari, 15 main drains and 45 minor drains for scientific analysis to document the levels and sources of pollution,” an official release released on Thursday quoted Mr. Pawan Kalyan as saying.

“The sewage water and untreated industrial waste being released into the Godavari through drains from 262 gram panchayats and Urban Local Bodies will also be tested during the study,” Mr. Pawan Kalyan said. 

The APPCB has been directed to utilise the ₹100-crore fund released for the conservation of the Godavari in May for monitoring, comprehensive study and measures to address the pollution, he said. The study aims to help check preventing water pollution of the Godavari ahead of Godavari Pushkarams-2027.