The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Another Hussainsagar in the making

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Wednesday, May 06, 2009
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Another Hussainsagar in the making

Yogendra Kalavalapalli

Durgam Cheruvu polluted waters cause fish to die

Thin stream of murky water in lake an eyesore
Durgam Cheruvu once a haunt
for birds

- Photo: P.V. Sivakumar

Fall from grace: The secret lake, an object of neglect, turns into a cesspool.

HYDERABAD: When dead fish drifted over the Durgam Cheruvu lake surface ten days ago, residents of Kavuri Hills went into a state of shock. “Dead fish floated everywhere. There were thousands of them, big and small. I have never seen so many fish dead,” a resident Kusuma Viswanath says.

Though residents do not know the exact cause, they point to incessant pollution of the lake that could have contaminated the fish causing death. Against the red hue of the evening sky, the sight of that thin stream of dark, murky water making its way into the lake, is an eyesore.

When a concerned Ms. Viswanath went to the sewage treatment plant located on the other side of the lake to seek an answer from the authorities, they showed her how treated water was being released into the lake, as per the norms. “But when I questioned them about the dirty drainage water flowing into the lake, they blamed it on some companies and residential areas located near the lake”, she says.

As a result of inaction in stemming its flow, what was once a freshwater lake with clear waters, a favourite haunt for many birds and fishing enthusiasts, is today a Hussainsagar in the making. Few know that the lake, popularly called secret lake, was once a drinking water source to the Golconda fort.

The water has now turned filthy, unhygienic and is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. “These days they have even stopped spraying and mosquitoes are a big menace here,” says Ms. Singh, who stays close to the lake.

“A few days ago, a revolting stench emanated from the lake and most of us ran away. The odour was so bad that we could not even breathe properly,” says Ramana, a car driver. “While we can manage after locking the doors and windows, what about the workers, watchmen and drivers who stay outside? The lake was stinking so badly that it was impossible to put up with it and my driver did not come for three days,” Ms. Viswanath avers.

And when she tried complaining about the problem, she was made to run from pillar to post. “When I dialled the numbers given by the authorities in newspapers, they told me to call another number. I called again to be given the same reply.” And the number-giving saga continued. “Finally after an hour, tired of their attitude and the way they passed the buck, I gave up,” she remarks.

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