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Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan has directed the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) to take action against Andhra Paper Limited (APL) over alleged violations that have contributed to pollution of the Godavari river at Rajamahendravaram.
Deputy CM Pawan, who also holds the environment and forests portfolio, said the company had failed to respond adequately to repeated discussions with the pollution control authorities since June. He said the APPCB had already issued a show-cause notice to the company, giving it an opportunity to correct the violations without disrupting its operations.
He warned that continued violations could invite strict action under existing regulations, including stoppage of operations, penalties, seizure of the industrial unit and cancellation of its licence.
The Deputy Chief Minister also referred to water samples collected by APPCB officials from two locations in May, including the lagoon through which effluents from the paper mill are discharged. According to the findings cited by him, the lagoon water recorded biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of 36 mg per litre, around 20% above the prescribed limit. Phosphate levels stood at 5.3 mg per litre, about 6% above the permitted level.
He also alleged that APL had not paid Rs 21.34 crore in taxes to Katheru Gram Panchayat or Rajamahendravaram Municipal Corporation since 2016.
Deputy CM Pawan said official data indicated that APL accounts for a substantial share of the liquid pollution generated in Rajamahendravaram. The unit reportedly releases about 35 million litres of wastewater a day, while the city's total liquid waste generation is around 75 million litres.
Separately, the government has ordered a comprehensive scientific assessment of pollution in the Godavari between Rajamahendravaram and Antarvedi. The APPCB will collect samples from the river, 15 major drains and 45 minor drains to identify the extent and sources of contamination.
Wastewater discharged through drains from 262 gram panchayats and urban local bodies will also be tested. A state-level task force, constituted in May and headed by the Principal Secretary to Environment and Forest and the APPCB member secretary, will oversee the exercise.
