HYDERABAD: Delay in the construction of baby ponds for Ganesh idol immersion by HMDA at Neknampur lake is taking a toll on not only the ecosystem of Neknampur but also on Ibrahim Cheruvu. Although it has been four days since Ganesh festival started, the tank is still under construction. The delay is also resulting in differences cropping up among people who are interested in conserving the two lakes.
The idol immersion tank at Neknampur measuring about 70 feet by 70 feet is the largest in Hyderabad and its surroundings. Madhulika Choudhary of Dhruvansh, an NGO working on the restoration of Neknampur lake said, “Till Sunday afternoon more than 300 Ganesh idols were diverted by our volunteers from Neknampur lake. The idols were taken to Ibrahim Cheruvu where a DUC machine was available for cleaning.” According to her, HMDA authorities had earlier promised that no idol would be immersed in Neknampur lake until immersion tank was constructed.
“On Sunday afternoon, a large group of people helped by local politicians, police officials and members of Ibrahim Cheruvu’s Lake Protection Committee raised religious issue forcing us to open the entrance gate to Neknampur lake and started immersing idols,” she said adding that about 430 idols have been immersed, she said.
When contacted, a member of lake protection committee formed to restore Ibrahim Cheruvu said, “HMDA did not ensure any mechanism in place at Ibrahim Cheruvu for Ganesh idol immersion to take place safely. The road to the lake is slippery which might cause accidents. Moreover, water in Ibrahim Cheruvu contains sewage water and people were against immersing Ganesh idols in it. There was no other way but to ensure that Neknampur lake is opened for immersion for which we had to take support of the Manikonda village sarpanch and police officials.