On May 26, 2026, Pawan Kalyan, the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, expressed his frustration over the alarming levels of pollution in the Godavari River. During his visit to the East Godavari district, Kalyan personally inspected areas affected by industrial effluents, particularly focusing on the Andhra Paper Mills in Rajamahendravaram. He criticized officials for their failure to take necessary actions to prevent pollution and emphasized the government's responsibility to safeguard the environment.
Kalyan's inspection revealed that the Andhra Paper Mills was discharging untreated polluted water into local lagoons, prompting him to take immediate action. He ordered officials to collect soil and water samples using mobile testing kits, which confirmed the presence of pollutants. Following the test results, Kalyan directed that notices be served to the industry for violating environmental regulations. His hands-on approach highlights the urgency of addressing pollution in the river that is crucial for local communities.
- Immediate testing of water samples — Kalyan ordered on-site tests to confirm pollution levels.
- Notices issued to Andhra Paper Mills — action taken for environmental regulation violations.
- Formation of a task force — to monitor pollution in the Godavari River.
During the inspection, Kalyan also questioned the Pollution Control Board (PCB) officials about their inaction regarding the accumulation of water hyacinth in the lagoons. He expressed deep concern about industries operating without a sense of environmental responsibility, especially when they are granted land at concessional rates by the government. Kalyan's frustration was evident as he demanded accountability from the PCB, questioning why no prior notices had been issued to the Andhra Paper Mills despite the evident pollution.
Highlighting the significance of environmental regulations, Kalyan stated, “Regarding industrial pollution, everyone must strictly adhere to pollution control regulations. Officials must ensure that industries comply with these norms.” He emphasized that if officials fail to perform their duties, the government ultimately faces the public's ire. To enhance accountability, he announced the establishment of a task force dedicated to monitoring pollution levels in the Godavari River, indicating a proactive approach towards safeguarding the environment for future generations.
