VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh government has constituted a high-level environment protection task force to curb pollution in the Godavari and other major rivers ahead of the Godavari Pushkaralu scheduled to begin next year.
The government issued orders following directions from Deputy Chief Minister and environment and forests minister K. Pawan Kalyan, who recently reviewed preparations at Rajamahendravaram and called for an inter-district mechanism to address river pollution.
During his two-day visit to Rajamahendravaram, Pawan Kalyan inspected the Nalla Channel and areas around Andhra Paper Mills by boat and expressed concern over untreated sewage and industrial effluents being discharged into the Godavari river.
He directed officials to take immediate corrective measures to ensure the river remains clean for devotees attending the Pushkaralu.
The task force has been mandated to identify pollution sources, prevent discharge of sewage and industrial waste into rivers, and monitor long-term pollution control measures.
Orders issued by environment and forests principal secretary Kantilal Dande said the principal secretary of the department will head the committee, while the member secretary of the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board will act as convener.
Senior officials from municipal administration, panchayat raj, industries, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, endowments, water resources and rural water supply departments, along with collectors of East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, Kakinada, Konaseema and Polavaram districts, have been included in the panel.
The committee will meet once every 15 days to identify pollution points and monitor implementation of river pollution control measures across the state.
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