HYDERABAD:Waking up to the adverse impact of pollution at Hussainsagar Lake, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has decided to remove the floating garbage and accumulated debris along the shoreline of the lake. In a bid to ensure cleaner environment around the lake, HMDA is planning to procure two modern machines, amphibious hydraulic excavator and aquatic weed harvester cum trash remover.
Accumulation of garbage including polythene bags, covers, plastic waste, food-wrappers, Plaster of Paris apart from algal weed and debris have been spelling death knell to Hussainsagar lake. With environmentalists raising a hue and cry for the protection of the lake HMDA is planning to remove the garbage using these two equipment, which are being purchased at a cost of `10 crore.
Last year, HMDA invited tenders for procurement of these equipment but could not finalise the deal as only one firm submitted the bid forcing HMDA to cancel the bid. The urban development body will invite a fresh tender in a day or two with modifications in specifications that will enable more firms to participate.
HMDA, which has taken up the Hussainsagar Lake Catchment Area Improvement Project with the assistance of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is in the process of replacing outdated equipment with modern machinery. The plan to procure amphibious hydraulic excavator and aquatic weed harvester is part of the plan.
HMDA has already taken up various projects to clean up Hussainsagar lake with JICA assistance. These include setting up sewage treatment plants and dredging of the lake.
The two dredging utility crafts which are in use are five years old and have gone outdated.
All the garbage, vegetation, algae, floating, accumulated material collected from the lake and shoreline would be shifted and disposed of at designated locations along the shoreline.
HMDA officials said the amphibious excavator is suitable for dredging operations in the lake apart from cleaning and deepening of water bodies. It can dredge while remaining afloat in shallow water. The new machinery not only collects the vegetation and garbage but also, directly loads the material on the trucks waiting on the shore. This helps in quick disposal of the garbage lifted from the water body, they added.