RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM: The long-awaited dream of Rajamahendravaram residents is set to become a reality as the Godavari River is on course to be freed from pollution.
Construction of the new Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) is progressing swiftly, with officials announcing that all works will be completed by March 2026. This marks a major step towards restoring a cleaner and healthier river ecosystem.
The major STP at the Aava area of Rajamahendravaram has reached an advanced stage, signalling substantial progress under the Godavari purification initiative. According to RMC Commissioner Rahul Meena, almost all concrete works have been completed, and four additional sump structures built as part of the facility are also ready. Installation of the machinery is the next key phase and is expected to begin shortly.
The state-of-the-art STP, with a processing capacity of 50 MLD (million litres per day), is designed to collect and treat sewage before it is discharged into the Godavari. As part of the purification process, four sumps have been constructed to facilitate various stages of filtration and chemical treatment. Municipal engineers stated that the entire project is likely to be completed by March next year.
The project is being implemented under the Namami Godavari programme, aimed at rejuvenating and protecting the river ecosystem. The Central Government has already released the first tranche of ₹100 crore, of which ₹89 crore has been allocated for the construction of the STP. In addition to the main 50 MLD unit, a supplementary 5 MLD plant is also under development adjacent to the site, further strengthening the city’s water management system.
The primary objective of the project is to prevent untreated sewage from flowing directly into the Godavari, a long-standing environmental and public health concern. At present, wastewater from the Nalla and Aava channels enters the river without adequate treatment, contributing to pollution.
Under the new system, sewage will be diverted through pipelines to the STP, where it will undergo multiple stages of purification. The treated water can then be reused for various non-potable purposes, reducing pollution and improving the overall health of the river.