The Andhra Pradesh Government has constituted a special Environment Protection Task Force to prevent pollution in the Godavari and other major rivers in the State ahead of the Godavari Pushkaralu scheduled to begin in June next year. The government issued orders following directions from Deputy Chief Minister and Environment and Forests Minister Pawan Kalyan after a high-level review meeting held at Rajamahendravaram.

 

During a recent two-day visit to Rajamahendravaram, Mr. Pawan Kalyan expressed concern over untreated sewage and industrial chemical waste being directly discharged into the Godavari river. The Deputy Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure that devotees visiting during the Pushkaralu experience clean and holy river waters. 

 

Following his directions, the government decided to establish a special task force to identify pollution sources and take immediate corrective measures. The committee will be headed by the Principal Secretary of the Environment and Forests Department, while the Member Secretary of the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board will serve as Convenor. Senior officials from various departments and collectors of districts in the Godavari basin region will be members.

 

The task force will meet once every 15 days, conduct field inspections, monitor pollution control measures and oversee steps to ensure clean river water during the Pushkaralu festival.