Adluri launches ‘Swachh Dharmapuri, Swachh Godavari’ initiative

In a significant step towards preserving the sanctity of the temple town of Dharmapuri and the purity of the River Godavari, Minister for Welfare Adluri Laxman Kumar formally launched the ‘Swachh Dharmapuri, Swachh Godavari’ initiative, calling for a collective civic awakening transcending political affiliations.

The programme, inaugurated along the banks of the Godavari under the aegis of the newly elected Dharmapuri Municipal Council, seeks to combine environmental stewardship with spiritual responsibility.

Addressing officials, community leaders and residents, the Minister observed that Dharmapuri, being a revered pilgrimage centre attracting thousands of devotees daily, required sustained and systematic measures to ensure both urban cleanliness and river conservation.

He appealed to pilgrims and residents alike to refrain from polluting the river by discarding old clothes, ritual offerings and other materials into its waters, urging them instead to use designated disposal facilities. “Preserving the sanctity of the Godavari is not merely an administrative duty but a shared moral obligation,” he said, underscoring the need for behavioural change alongside infrastructure development.

Emphasising community participation, the Minister invited voluntary organisations and non-governmental bodies to conduct regular cleanliness drives and awareness campaigns. He also called upon natives of Dharmapuri to contribute meaningfully to the initiative, describing service to one’s birthplace as both a privilege and a responsibility.

With the 2027 Godavari Pushkarams scheduled for June that year, the Minister stated that preparatory groundwork was being initiated well in advance. As part of the planning process, representatives of a government-appointed consultancy are slated to visit Dharmapuri on the 27th of this month to undertake field assessments and prepare detailed project estimates.

He invited suggestions from townspeople, elected representatives across party lines, members of the Brahmin community and agraharam elders, assuring that a comprehensive development blueprint would be formulated after due consultation. The proposed plan is expected to address civic infrastructure, riverfront development, pilgrim amenities and environmental safeguards in an integrated manner.

The Minister further announced that pending drainage works in Dharmapuri would be expedited and completed at the earliest. Steps have also been initiated to resolve the long-standing issue of the dumping yard through a sustainable and permanent solution.

Reiterating the government’s commitment, Lakshman Kumar said the overarching objective was to transform Dharmapuri into a model temple town, one that harmonises spiritual heritage with modern civic standards while preserving the ecological integrity of the Godavari.

Senior officials present at the event described the initiative as a timely and forward-looking intervention, aligning administrative foresight with public participation ahead of a major religious congregation.