Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has unveiled an action plan titled Swachh Godavari - Pavitra Pushkaralu aimed at ensuring a pollution free Godavari during the Pushkarams. The initiative identifies 262 Pushkar Panchayats in the erstwhile twin Godavari districts for conversion into sewage free villages ahead of the festival. Officials have been directed to prevent untreated sewage entering the river and to establish a real time monitoring mechanism on the lines of the RTGS control room.

During a review meeting, the Deputy Chief Minister urged coordinated action by the Panchayat Raj, Rural Development, Forest, Environment and Pollution Control Board to curb river pollution. Officials reported that nearly 104 million (mn) litres of sewage from municipalities, 8.38 million (mn) litres from rural areas, 13.24 million (mn) litres of aqua waste and around 32 million (mn) litres of industrial discharge from Andhra Paper Mills enter the Godavari every day. The meeting directed preparation of a comprehensive sewage management plan for rural and urban areas.

The plan includes construction of magic drains, community soak pits and twin pit systems under existing sanitation schemes to prevent household wastewater from reaching the river. Authorities were instructed to construct Sewage Treatment Plants in municipalities according to capacity and to target major urban centres such as Rajamahendravaram, Tanuku, Bhimavaram, Narsapuram and Kovvur that release untreated wastewater. Continuous inspection of industries was ordered to curb industrial pollution.

Officials were told to utilise funds sanctioned by the Pollution Control Board, including the Rs 1 billion (bn) allocation for Godavari pollution control, and to deploy Swachh Andhra resources where necessary. Directions were issued for strict enforcement of the phased ban on single use plastics in Godavari basin municipalities in six districts. The government has set deadlines for conversion of identified panchayats and plans regular reviews to ensure compliance before the Pushkarams.