State moves to investigate industrial discharge into Godavari
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan, who holds the Environment and Forests portfolio, has asked the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) to take action against Andhra Paper Limited (APL) following official test results that indicate elevated pollution levels in effluent channels and the Godavari river near Rajamahendravaram.
The APPCB had issued a show-cause notice to the company earlier, providing an opportunity to rectify the alleged violations without disrupting operations, but the Deputy Chief Minister said the firm’s response to repeated discussions since June was inadequate. He warned that persistent non-compliance could attract sanctions under existing laws, including stoppage of operations, penalties, seizure of the industrial unit and cancellation of the licence.
Official sample results and local impact
Water samples taken by pollution control officials from two locations in May — including the lagoon that receives effluent from the mill — showed parameters above permitted limits. The lagoon recorded a biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of 36 mg per litre and phosphate levels of 5.3 mg per litre, according to figures cited by the Deputy Chief Minister.
| Parameter | Measured Value | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| BOD | 36 mg/L | About 20% above the prescribed limit |
| Phosphate | 5.3 mg/L | Approximately 6% above permitted level |
| Wastewater discharge (APL) | 35 million litres/day | Roughly half of Rajamahendravaram's total liquid waste |
| City total liquid waste | 75 million litres/day | Includes municipal and industrial effluents |
The Deputy Chief Minister said that official data attributed a substantial share of the liquid pollution in Rajamahendravaram to APL’s operations. Local water quality concerns take on urgency given the city’s reliance on the Godavari for domestic and agricultural needs downstream.
Broader assessment to identify contamination sources
The state government has ordered a detailed scientific assessment of pollution along the Godavari between Rajamahendravaram and Antarvedi. As part of this exercise, the APPCB will collect samples from the river itself and from a network of drains and sewage outlets to map contamination and potential point sources.
- Sampling will include the river, 15 major drains and 45 minor drains.
- Wastewater from 262 gram panchayats and urban local bodies will be tested to determine contributions from settlements.
- A state-level task force set up in May will oversee the assessment and follow-up actions.
The planned testing aims to establish the extent and origin of pollutants and to prioritise remedial measures. The task force is expected to collate the laboratory findings and recommend enforcement or remediation steps based on the evidence.
In addition to environmental non-compliance issues, the Deputy Chief Minister raised municipal finance concerns, saying APL had not paid local dues since 2016. He cited an outstanding amount of ₹21.34 crore allegedly due to Katheru Gram Panchayat and the Rajamahendravaram Municipal Corporation. He indicated that such financial non-compliance would factor into the state’s response.
What enforcement could entail
Officials indicated that the APPCB, acting under statutory powers, may pursue several remedial steps if violations are confirmed. These measures can include:
- monetary penalties under environmental regulations,
- orders to halt operations until pollution-control upgrades are implemented,
- seizure of equipment or the industrial unit in extreme cases, and
- revocation of the environmental clearance or operating licence.
The state-level assessment and any subsequent action will be evidence-driven, the Deputy Chief Minister’s office said. The APPCB is responsible for laboratory analyses and for issuing formal compliance or enforcement orders as warranted.
Local residents, downstream users and civic bodies will be watching the findings closely, given the Godavari’s ecological and economic importance in the region. The sampling exercise and task-force review are expected to clarify responsibilities and set the stage for remediation where required.
