Alarming rise in Godavari pollution

​Mancherial: The increase in pollution of Godavari River has become a cause of serious concern for people of the town who are dependent on it for their drinking needs.

Though environmentalists are expressing grave concern over the alarming rise in water pollution in recent times, the indiscriminate dumping of garbage into the river goes on unchecked. Heaps of garbage and other waste can be seen everywhere on the river bank.

The water flowing in the perennial river is getting murky at several places due to release of untreated effluents into it. Pilgrims are hesitating to take a holy dip in the river fearing that they may get skin diseases due to water contamination.

Instances of milch cattle falling ill after consumption of the polluted water were also reported in the town. Despite several complaints by people, the municipal officials have failed to take any concrete measures to check indiscriminate dumping of garbage into the river and keep the Godavari bank clean.

Speaking to The Hans India, some residents of the town said: ``The civic body is indifferent to the river water pollution. No proposals have been made to set up sewage treatment plants in the town to curb the river water pollution.’’

Fishermen who are dependent on the river for their livelihood, may be affected if urgent measures are not taken to check water pollution. Rajender, a fisherman, said: ``People are reluctant to buy the fish caught in the river fearing that its consumption may be a health hazard.’’

Environmentalists underlined the need to take up a cleansing project to save the Godavari river from the pollution hazard.