The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : HUDA moots alternative site

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

HUDA moots alternative site

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 28. Concerned with the pollution caused to the Hussainsagar Lake due to immersion of Ganesh idols every year and the dangerous chemicals settling in the lakebed, the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA) plans to mobilise public opinion for an alternative site.

Opposite KIMS

The alternate site identified is the backwater of the lake opposite the Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) on the Minister Road. The water body is being taken over by the HUDA for its maintenance and development from the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH) as directed by the Chief Minister, according to the HUDA Chairman, G. Ashok Kumar.

It is proposed to deepen the water body to make it a retention pond. After immersion of idols, the debris and pollutants will be removed and again filled with treated effluents. The proposal is mooted so that the main lake, which will be cleaned up with Japanese aid early next year, will be free from any sort of pollution.

Consensus

The proposal will be discussed with the Ganesh Utsav Committee, and with consensus of all concerned the place will be developed and beautified. Arrangements for immersion of idols will be made there if everyone supported the endeavour to protect Hussainsagar and other smaller lakes.

"But our immediate concern is cleaning up the Hussainsagar Lake of cardboards, plaster of Paris lumps and chemicals like chromium present in paints once the scavenging operation for removing iron rods and frames is over in a couple of days," Mr. Kumar says. Incidentally, this is the first time the HUDA will be organising the drive for clean-up of idol lumps and chemicals by involving organisations like the National Green Corps, the NSS and other groups concerned with environment. The drive may commence on October 2.

Officials say that if chemicals and lumps of plaster of Paris and other pollutants are removed without delay, they will not cause much harm to the lake. In the case of other lakes restored by the HUDA, Saroornagar and Safilguda, where also the idols were immersed, the local municipalities will e removing the floating material likes flowers and leaves, besides iron frames.

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