Rajamahendravaram’s Godavari Riverfront project, funded by an ₹8-crore Centre grant, was originally expected to finish by the end of March. Only 30–40% of the work is complete, including work worth about ₹2 crore; delays in fund release have slowed construction. Officials say it may not be completed before flood season.

Bathing ghats and sections of the concrete embankment were removed for riverfront and bund road widening, leaving mud embankments on several low-lying stretches vulnerable to strong flood flows and possible breaches near residential areas.

The plan redevelops Godavari Bund Road and nearby parks. A roughly 550-metre submerged lower promenade will connect PV Narasimha Rao Park and Gowthami Nandanam Park; upper promenades, plazas, seating, landscaping, lighting, railings, bollards and a connecting bridge are also planned. Footpaths and on-street two-wheeler parking will be added. Padmavathi and TDP bathing ghats, built for pilgrims and visitors during the Godavari Pushkarams, were dismantled for redesigned river steps and a bridge-like waterfront structure. The project was proposed last year; preliminary work began under former municipal commissioner Vijay Rama Raju.

Rajamahendravaram expects lakhs of devotees from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for the Godavari Pushkaralu in July 2027. Footpaths along main roads are reportedly fully encroached, forcing pedestrians onto roads and increasing accident risks. Affected stretches include the railway-station route from ILTD Junction to Shyamala Centre, Godavari Bund Road and Central Jail Road connecting to the National Highway.

Businesses, parked two-wheelers and vendors selling goods occupy pavements. A school-bag vendor said she pays ₹3,000 every three months to a person claiming to represent the municipal corporation. On Godavari Bund Road, beautified for the July 2015 Godavari Maha Pushkaralu, vendors occupy parts of the footpath and beggars shelter there; vendor Abdul Razak said he pays ₹50 daily to sell teddy bears brought from Uttar Pradesh. Vendors on the National Highway stretch pay ₹5,000 to join the Viveka Thopudu Bandla Sangham and ₹200 monthly; they sell fruit, tea and food and carry out welding. The municipality’s tiled-footpath improvements have not prevented encroachment. Commissioner Ketan Garg said the corporation collects no money from vendors and is conducting clearance drives.