Hyderabad: HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath assured Edulabad residents that officials would prepare a plan for Lakshminarayana Lake restoration after complaints of severe pollution. He said a meeting would be convened soon to prepare an appropriate restoration strategy for the historic water body.
Residents and fishermen from Edulabad village in Ghatkesar mandal of Medchal-Malkajgiri district met Ranganath and sought urgent measures to protect the lake.
Acting on complaints received through Prajavani, Ranganath inspected the lake on Thursday. Uppal Zonal Commissioner Radhika Gupta and HYDRAA Additional Commissioner D. Anand Kumar accompanied him. The officials also examined arrangements underway at the lake for Ganesh idol immersion.
Leaders from different political parties and a large number of residents met the Commissioner during his visit. They explained the history of the lake and sought measures to tackle its pollution.
Residents said the lake once spread across more than 600 acres and provided drinking and irrigation water. However, they complained that severe pollution had now affected the water body.
They said HYDRAA’s development of several lakes in Hyderabad had transformed their surrounding areas. Therefore, they requested similar development for Lakshminarayana Lake.
Lakshminarayana Lake restoration sought over sewage inflows
Residents claimed the lake water had become so polluted that it felt sticky when touched. They also said fish had died because of the pollution.
They further complained that polluted water had entered borewells in surrounding areas. Residents claimed people were facing health problems including blood pressure, thyroid disorders, cancer and infertility.
They attributed the pollution to waste from the Jawaharnagar dump yard entering the lake through sewage flows. The residents suggested diverting the drain carrying wastewater from Jawaharnagar to prevent it from entering the lake. According to them, diverting the sewage flow could resolve a substantial part of the pollution problem.
Ranganath assured the residents that officials would soon hold a meeting on the historically significant lake. He said they would proceed with a suitable plan to restore it.
Lakshminarayana Lake restoration visit followed by other inspections
Ranganath also reviewed restoration works at Nalla Cheruvu in Uppal, Nacharam Lake and Peddacheruvu in Ramanthapur. He directed officials to speed up the ongoing works and complete the development of the water bodies.
The Commissioner said the Chief Minister was expected to inaugurate Uppal Nalla Cheruvu in November. Therefore, he asked officials to ensure that the lake was fully developed and beautified by then.
During the inspection, Ranganath examined sedimentation tanks, the lake bund, inlets and outlets. He also instructed officials to improve biodiversity around Nalla Cheruvu.
Uppal Zonal Commissioner Radhika Gupta raised the issue of temporary sheds on government land in Survey No. 155 near the lake. She said authorities were trying to clear the sheds and provide space there for vendors and sought HYDRAA’s cooperation. Vimos Technocrats Director Younus explained the lake development works to the Commissioner during the inspection.
At Nacharam Lake, residents complained that vehicles were using the pathway around the water body. They said continued vehicular movement could create problems in the future.
Residents pointed out that alternative routes towards Uppal were available and sought arrangements to encourage their use. Ranganath said officials would conduct a detailed study before taking a decision.
The Commissioner also directed officials to excavate the lake to the required depth. He instructed them to remove plastic waste and silt accumulated over several decades.
Ranganath subsequently inspected Peddacheruvu in Ramanthapur. People who had earlier lost their huts thanked him for including their names among beneficiaries considered for double-bedroom houses.
The Commissioner said lakhs of people lived around the lake and could benefit from the recreational environment it offered. He consequently directed officials to expedite its development.