Hyderabad: The Godavari clean-up project got a financial boost of Rs 416 crore with the Union Jal Shakti ministry sanctioning the amount under the National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD) to rejuvenate the river. Under the project, NRCD will be constructing sewage treatment plants, underground drainage system, including sewage treatment plants (STP) and diversion facilities to ensure that untreated water does not enter the river.
The Delhi Technological University, which submitted an appraisal report to NRCD, said the proposed project is essential to prevent pollution of the holy river, which is also a source of drinking water for households in East and West Godavari districts.
Rajahmundry MP Margani Bharat had recently met Union minister for water resources Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to seek funds for the project. “Around 150 MLD of sewage water goes into Godavari at Dowleswaram barrage. In the first phase, STPs will be constructed to treat 150 MLD of sewage. In the second phase, an underground drainage system will be constructed so that untreated water is not released into Dowleswaram,” Bharat told TOI.
The MP said that once the Godavari project is completed, each household in Godavari district will be supplied drinking water under the Har Ghar Jal scheme. “Three new STPs will be constructed, and an existing one will be upgraded. Interception and diversion structures will also be created,” he said.