The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Kothacheruvu exposed to contamination

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Aug 07, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Kothacheruvu exposed to contamination

J.S. Ifthekhar

A number of structures are coming up close to the water body

-PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL

Living on the edge: Complexes and houses abutting Kothacheruvu.

HYDERABAD: Kothacheruvu on the Filmnagar-Shaikpet nala road is a serene place. But construction activity around it is posing danger not just to its tranquillity but to its very health. The mandatory open space to be left around the lake has been given a go by. A number of small structures can be seen coming up close to the water body.

The Revenue Department is believed to have issued pattas in violation of the proposed road development plan. Even the space meant for green belt is witnessing unhindered construction. Environmentalists fear the lake water might get contaminated by the sewage from the nearby houses.

Around the lake, GHMC has proposed a 60 ft road which joins Filmnagar road. The latter is being widened to 120 ft as it is going to be the shortest route to Gachibowli and the new airport.

However, the structures that have come up near the lake fall in the proposed 60 ft road. “We are going to remove all encroachments,” said B. Purushotham Reddy, chief city planner, GHMC.

Not just this. The raw water channel from Osmansagar to Asifnagar filter beds which passes through the area is also at risk.

According to rules, no layout or building permission should be granted up to a maximum of 100 ft. from the conduit site boundary and sufficient space for green belt should be insisted on to act as a buffer on either side of the conduit.

But in contravention of the guidelines, Dr. Ambedkarnagar Basti has come up along the conduit. There is every possibility of external water entering the channel. The conduit built in 1920 draws 25 mgd of raw water to the filtration point.

Recently HMWSSB chief K.S. Jawahar Reddy inspected the area and instructed officials to seal all openings between the masonry covers from habitation area to prevent entry of external water and dust.

When contacted, Hyderabad Collector, R.V. Chandravadan expressed concern about construction of houses abutting the lake. However, he denied knowledge about sanction of pattas. “We will verify our records and take action if there are any violations”, he said.

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