Current Affairs - State - Discussion

The Andhra Pradesh government announced the formation of a dedicated inter-district task force to address pollution in the Godavari River ahead of the upcoming Godavari Pushkarams. The initiative is implemented under the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) with a significant budget allocation of ₹100 crore for immediate corrective measures. The plan includes strict environmental regulations such as a year-long ban on single-use plastics across six districts and mandatory quarterly pollution audits for industries, which are categorised into Red, Yellow, and Green based on compliance levels. The project also sets a six-month timeline for visible improvements in river water quality, highlighting the state’s focus on sustainable river conservation and ecological restoration.