Current Context : Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA) launched Operation Swarna to remove encroachments, revive flow, and rejuvenate the Swarnamukhi River in Andhra Pradesh.

About Swarnamukhi River

• Location: Andhra Pradesh (Rayalaseema region).
• Origin: Eastern Ghats near Pakala village, Chittoor district (elevation ~300 m).
• Length: ~130 km.
• Basin Area: ~3,225 sq. km.
• Course: Flows northeast through Tirumala, Tirupati, and Srikalahasti, then drains into the Bay of Bengal.
• Religious Significance: Passes by Tirumala and Srikalahasti temples.
• Tributary: Kalyani River (Kalyani Dam – 1977).
• Rainfall Dependence: Monsoon-fed, independent river (not part of a major river system).

 About Operation Swarna

• Launched by: Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA).
• Aim:
  • Clear encroachments.
  • Rejuvenate river ecology.
  • Ensure sustainable water flow and religious access points.