HYDERABAD: For the first time in decades, Hussainsagar, the pride of Hyderabad, is all set to regain its past glory, with the capping of Kukatpally nala, that brings around 175 to 200 million litres of industrial waste and sewage into the lake.
Thanks to the Hussainsagar catchment area improvement project (HCIP), taken up by Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewage Board (HMWS&SB) with financial assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the flow of pollutants to the lake has been plugged paving way to restoration of the pristine glory of the lake, which was a drinking water source for the city decades ago.
Around 175 to 200 MLD of industrial waste had been flowing into Hussainsagar through Kukatpally nala near Necklace road from Jeedimetla every day. With the completion of trunk sewer lines to divert industrial waste and sewage from the nala to Amberpet sewerage treatment plant (STP) two days ago, the quality of water in the lake is set to improve. Sewage water had been flowing into the lake through three other major nalas - Balkapur nala, Banjara nala and Picket nala.
Under the 100-day action plan, three STPs were constructed - two near Khairatabad flyover and one at Minister’s Road to treat the sewage water and reduce pollution levels in Hussainsagar.
The HMWS&SB in collaboration with the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) initiated the nala diversion project with an estimated cost of `58.96 crore under four different packages last year. They included laying of 1.6 mm diameter RCC trunk sewer main (650 rmt) and 2200 mm diameter RCC trunk sewer main (`35 crore).
Over the years, Hussainsagar had become polluted because of the flow of untreated sewage and industrial effluents through the nalas that flow into the lake.