Andhra Pradesh has made notable progress in addressing its legacy municipal waste, with nearly 59% of the 85 lakh metric tonnes of solid waste already processed, fulfilling directives from the Union government.
This milestone is not only a testament to the state’s commitment to sustainable waste management but also a pivotal step towards reclaiming land for productive use. A significant portion of this waste, amounting to 50.72 LMT, has been remediated in 32 urban local bodies (ULBs), leading to the restoration of over 231 acres of land, a vital resource in rapidly growing urban areas. With the goal of completing the remediation process by March 2026, the state is on track to meet the requirements set out in the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.
The state’s ongoing efforts extend beyond waste remediation to tackling its sewage treatment challenges. Currently, Andhra Pradesh generates an estimated 1,923 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage across its 123 ULBs, far outstripping the existing treatment capacity of 691 MLD. Despite this gap, the state is taking proactive measures to bridge it, with sewage treatment plants (STPs) under construction that will add 707 MLD to the system. Additionally, STPs with a capacity of 268 MLD are in the tendering stage under the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0, and 373 MLD of capacity has been sanctioned under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0.
To further support sustainable practices, Andhra Pradesh has made significant strides in the reuse of treated water. The state has already set a benchmark, recycling approximately 235 MLD of treated water across 14 ULBs, with cities like Visakhapatnam using it for landscaping, industrial purposes, and road cleaning. Encouraged by this success, the government has issued directives for other cities to adopt similar practices, aiming to reduce dependency on freshwater sources and create a revenue-generating model through treated water supply to nearby industries.
In line with the state’s ambition to enhance its environmental monitoring framework, real-time water quality monitoring stations have been installed at nine STPs across five ULBs, including Visakhapatnam and Rajahmundry. These stations track the quality of treated water before it is released into water bodies, ensuring that all discharge meets established environmental standards.With these initiatives, Andhra Pradesh is not just tackling the waste management challenge but is also laying the groundwork for a sustainable, eco-friendly urban future. As the state continues to advance its infrastructure, it is positioning itself as a model for other regions in India striving for a cleaner, greener, and more equitable urban landscape.
