HYDERABAD: Once called the city of lakes, most water bodies in Hyderabad have died a slow death. Many of them have totally vanished, while some have shrunk drastically due to large-scale encroachments; what is left is polluted with illegal dumping of sewage. A majority of the 168 lakes that existed in the limits of Greater Hyderabad have gone missing, thanks to real estate development and poor monitoring by government agencies. The impact has been manifold; aquatic life has deteriorated, groundwater levels have declined, water-logging and flash floods have become more common.
Many of these water bodies also fail to meet the water quality standards set by the Central Pollution Control Board, thanks to the continuous flow of sewage. Many of them fall below the Class-E category, which means their water is not even fit for irrigation or industrial purposes. Realising the damage that has been done, the Telangana government has finally decided to revitalise the polluted lakes by developing and beautifying them. Of the 20 lakes proposed to be cleaned up and beautified in the first phase, Durgam Cheruvu and Malka Cheruvu in Raidurg of Serilingampally circle would be revived under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of private companies.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), under the CSR programme, has roped in Raheja IT Park in coordination with Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation and Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation to develop Durgam Cheruvu. Malka Cheruvu will be developed and beautified by M/s Aparna Infrahousing Ltd. For this, the GHMC Standing Committee has approved the proposal of the corporation for development of these two lakes under CSR. These two lakes got polluted due to flow of sewerage from nearby households and residential colonies, disturbing the ecosystem of these water bodies and creating a foul smell.
GHMC officials said the state government has planned comprehensive development of water bodies under Mission Kakatiya programme of urbanised water bodies. About 20 lakes have been listed under phase one. It was decided to develop the Durgam Cheruvu in a phased manner. Phase-1 includes removal of water hyacinth from the lake and maintaining it for one year. This work is taken up with the funds deposited with GHMC Commissioner by Raheja IT Park. In Phase-2, walking and cycling track will be laid covering a lenght of 2.20 km from nectar garden to non-over flow wall along with entrance plazas, children’s play area and yoga corners. Phase-3 includes fabrication and electricity works, construction of a barbeque area and landscaping works up to a length of 2.20 km.
Similarly for Malka Cheruvu, Aparna Infrahousing Pvt Ltd has come forward for restoration and comprehensive development of the lake under CSR. Preliminary works such as removal of water hyacinth is nearing completing and maintenance of lake is in progress. Surveys are completed and conceptual plan in respect of lake is completed.Lake cleaning, laying of inlet and wet land ponds, desilting, strengthening of the exisiting bunds, formation cycle and walking tracks, landscaping and lighting are underway.