Clean Godavari mission: Pawan Kalyan seeks central support ahead of Pushkarams 2026

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan met three Union Ministers on Tuesday. Pawan Kalyan asked for central support on several state priorities. A key request was a dedicated clean-up drive for the Godavari River. Pawan Kalyan said the plan should follow the Namami Gange programme model.

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With the Godavari Pushkarams due next year, Pawan Kalyan raised crowd control needs too. Pawan Kalyan said crores of people from across India will attend. Pawan Kalyan cited systems used during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. Pawan Kalyan also referred to arrangements made in Varanasi.

Godavari River clean-up plan for Godavari Pushkarams

Pawan Kalyan met Union Minister for Jal Shakti C R Patil to seek a Clean Godavari initiative. Pawan Kalyan proposed the theme Swachh Godavari – Pavitra Pushkaralu. Pawan Kalyan pointed to polluted stretches along the river. Pawan Kalyan also flagged untreated sewage discharge and the need for more treatment plants.

After the meeting, Pawan Kalyan said C R Patil promised support from the Centre. Pawan Kalyan told reporters the aim was to keep the river clean. Pawan Kalyan also said the event should reflect the river’s importance. "Crores of people from across the country will visit for the Pushkarams.\"

Godavari River pollution checks ahead of Godavari Pushkarams

In another meeting, Pawan Kalyan spoke with Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav. Pawan Kalyan said Bhupender Yadav agreed to send Central Pollution Control Board members. The team will study pollution levels along the Godavari. Pawan Kalyan said this would support action on key pollution concerns.

Pawan Kalyan said the talks also covered eight forest department matters. These included a new Aranyaramam Common Facility Centre. Pawan Kalyan also raised the expansion of base camps. The plan is to increase camps from 90 to 150. The camps are in Nagarjuna Sagar and Srisailam Tiger Reserves.

Godavari River focus linked to forests and wildlife plans

Pawan Kalyan said funding was discussed for a 1,050-kilometre Great Green Wall coastal plantation drive. Pawan Kalyan said central approval under the MISHTI scheme was already granted. Pawan Kalyan also shared updates on wildlife support from other states. These steps were linked to conservation needs in Andhra Pradesh.

On tigers, Pawan Kalyan said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis agreed to provide four female tigers. Pawan Kalyan said the move addresses a falling female tiger population in the state. Pawan Kalyan added that two more female tigers would come from Madhya Pradesh. No timeline was stated for the transfers.

Pawan Kalyan said Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav agreed to send 50 Indian Gaur. Pawan Kalyan described Indian Gaur as wild bison. Pawan Kalyan said the species had earlier gone extinct in Andhra Pradesh. Pawan Kalyan said the animals would be sent in September or October.

Pawan Kalyan also referred to human-wildlife conflict in Parvathipuram Manyam district. Pawan Kalyan said Odisha responded positively to a request for trained Kumki elephants. Pawan Kalyan said the elephants would help manage conflict situations. Pawan Kalyan did not share the number of elephants requested or a timeline.

Godavari Pushkarams preparations backed by rural development funds

Earlier on Tuesday, Pawan Kalyan met Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Pawan Kalyan thanked Shivraj Singh Chouhan for fund allocation to Andhra Pradesh. Pawan Kalyan said the state got the third-highest quantum nationally. The funds are under the Viksit Bharat–Gram Gaurav VB-G RAM G programme.

Pawan Kalyan said 260 model panchayats are being developed for the Godavari Pushkarams. The work includes better drainage and sanitation systems. Pawan Kalyan said sewage treatment was also part of the plan. Pawan Kalyan said these upgrades are meant to support large visitor numbers.

Pawan Kalyan said Shivraj Singh Chouhan praised the Magic Drains initiative in Pedapenki village. Pawan Kalyan said Shivraj Singh Chouhan showed interest in using the model in a Madhya Pradesh constituency. Pawan Kalyan also said Andhra Pradesh will host the first National Gram Vikas Sammelan. The event is scheduled on July 1, 2026.

With inputs from PTI