Hyderabad: Minister for Welfare Adluri Laxman Kumar launched the Swachh Dharmapuri Swachh Godavari initiative along the banks of the River Godavari, calling for collective civic responsibility to protect the temple town and the river.
The programme, organised under the newly elected Dharmapuri Municipal Council, aims to combine urban cleanliness with river conservation. Addressing officials, community leaders and residents, the Minister said Dharmapuri attracts thousands of devotees daily and requires sustained measures to maintain hygiene and ecological balance.
He urged pilgrims and locals not to discard old clothes, ritual offerings or waste into the river. Instead, he asked them to use designated disposal facilities. He stated that preserving the sanctity of the Godavari was a shared moral duty, not merely an administrative task. Therefore, he stressed that behavioural change must complement infrastructure development.
Swachh Dharmapuri Swachh Godavari plan ahead of 2027 Pushkarams
With the 2027 Godavari Pushkarams scheduled for June that year, the Minister said preparatory work had begun in advance under the Swachh Dharmapuri Swachh Godavari framework. Representatives of a government-appointed consultancy will visit Dharmapuri on the 27th of this month to conduct field assessments and prepare detailed project estimates.
He invited suggestions from townspeople, elected representatives across parties, members of the Brahmin community and agraharam elders. He assured them that authorities would draft a comprehensive development blueprint after consultations. The plan will cover civic infrastructure, riverfront development, pilgrim amenities and environmental safeguards.
Additionally, the Minister announced that pending drainage works would be expedited. Officials have also initiated steps to resolve the long-standing dumping yard issue through a permanent solution. He reiterated that the government aimed to transform Dharmapuri into a model temple town that balances spiritual heritage with modern civic standards while protecting the River Godavari.
Senior officials present described the initiative as timely, particularly ahead of the major religious congregation expected in 2027.