Godavari River Pollution Threatens 2027 Pushkarams, APPCB Report Finds Water Unsafe

The Godavari river, a lifeline for Rajamahendravaram in Andhra Pradesh, is facing severe pollution that renders its water unfit for drinking and bathing, according to a report by the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) released on June 8. This raises concerns ahead of the Godavari Pushkarams in 2027, a major spiritual event held every 12 years on the river's banks.

Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Environment and Forest K. Pawan Kalyan, along with officials, inspected pollution choke points on May 25 as part of the Krishna-Godavari Rejuvenation project. The APPCB report indicates that major sections of the river in Rajamahendravaram exceed permissible levels of coliform bacteria, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), nitrate, phosphate, and sulphide.

According to Mr. Kalyan, the water quality poses serious health risks. “Nitrate level is 119.6 mg/litre as against the normal level of 45 mg/litre in the water sample collected from the Andhra Paper Limited’s lagoon. This level of nitrate could cause Blue Baby Syndrome among children. Such water is not suitable even for bathing,” he said.

The report identifies two main sources of pollution: Andhra Paper Limited (APL) and sewage from the Nalla channel. APL generates 31,934 kilolitres per day (KLD) of effluents, including 400 KLD of domestic effluents. The company is violating rules by discharging treated wastewater into the Turpulanka sand shoals in the middle of the river through an open channel instead of a closed pipeline system recommended by authorities.

Samples from APL’s storage lagoon showed BOD at 36 mg/l against the prescribed 30 mg/l, sulphides at 3.4 mg/l against 2 mg/l, and phosphates at 5.3 mg/l against 5 mg/l. The APPCB issued a show-cause notice to APL on June 12, noting that the lease for discharging treated effluent into the Turpulanka sand shoals expired in 1999 and has not been renewed. The board has directed APL to lay a dedicated pipeline to the Bay of Bengal to prevent further river pollution, giving the company until the end of June to respond with a permanent solution.

The findings have alarmed residents and officials as preparations for the 2027 Pushkarams begin. The state government has emphasised the need for immediate action to restore the river’s health for the spiritual event and the daily needs of the community.