Pawan Kalyan directs action against Andhra Paper over Godavari pollution, tax dues
RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM: Deputy Chief Minister and Environment Minister K Pawan Kalyan has directed the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) to issue summons to Andhra Paper Limited over alleged pollution of the Godavari and pending tax dues to local bodies.
Kalyan said the company owed up to ₹21.34 crore in taxes to the Kateru gram panchayat and Rajamahendravaram Municipal Corporation. He alleged that the company had not paid taxes to the local bodies since 2016 and had approached courts whenever notices were issued.
The allegations come amid government action over pollution in the Godavari ahead of the 2027 Pushkarams. A recent National Green Tribunal order records APPCB findings on non-compliances by Andhra Paper and notes that the company has been directed to pursue an alternative disposal system for treated wastewater or implement a zero-liquid-discharge system.
Kalyan said official data indicated that Andhra Paper accounted for about half of the liquid waste generated in Rajamahendravaram. According to the figures cited by him, the city generates around 70 million litres of liquid waste a day, while the paper mill accounts for about 35 million litres.
రాజమండ్రి గోదావరి కాలుష్యంలో సగం ఆంధ్రా పేపర్ లిమిటెడ్దే
•కాలుష్యం చేస్తూ ఉత్పత్తి చేస్తున్నారు.. పన్ను మాత్రం ఎగ్గొడుతున్నారు..
•ఆంధ్రా పేపర్ మిల్స్ పన్ను కట్టి దాదాపు పుష్కరకాలం పూర్తయ్యింది
•పన్ను చెల్లించమంటే కోర్టులకెళ్లి కాలయాపన చేస్తారా? ఇంత బాధ్యతారాహిత్యం ఎందుకు?… pic.twitter.com/UDMipMrFJh— Deputy CMO, Andhra Pradesh (@APDeputyCMO) September 4, 2026
Tests indicate pollutants above prescribed limits
Kalyan said samples collected near the lagoons where the company releases treated waste showed biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of 36 mg per litre, which he said was 20% above the prescribed limit.
He said phosphate levels were recorded at 5.3 mg per litre, while sulphides were measured at 3.4 mg per litre. The latter, he said, was 70% above the Central Pollution Control Board standard.
Kalyan said the discharge was affecting oxygen levels in the water and posing a threat to aquatic life and the natural ecosystem of the Godavari. He also alleged that the pollution was affecting water quality and public health.
An APPCB report cited in recent coverage similarly recorded BOD at 36 mg/L, sulphides at 3.4 mg/L and phosphates at 5.3 mg/L in samples linked to the pollution concerns.
Kalyan said he had directed officials during field visits to take measures to prevent groundwater contamination, but alleged that the measures had not been implemented.
Government says company was given time to rectify violations
Kalyan said the government could take stringent action under pollution control regulations, including stopping operations, imposing penalties, seizing the industry and cancelling its licence.
He said the coalition government had instead issued show-cause notices and given the industry an opportunity to rectify the violations. APPCB officials had held several meetings with company representatives over the past three months and suggested measures to resolve the issues, he said.
Kalyan said there had been no adequate response from the company and directed APPCB officials to issue summons immediately and take action according to the regulations.
He also said the Advocate General, Additional Advocate General, government lawyers and standing counsel would be advised to take steps to expedite court cases relating to such violations.
Kalyan appealed to environmentalists and civil society groups to support the government’s measures under the “Swachha Godavari – Sacred Pushkaras” initiative.
The AP government has scheduled the Godavari Pushkaralu from June 26 to July 7, 2027.
