Illegal encroachments within the full tank level boundaries, dumping of construction debris, sewerage being let out and a distinct lack of coordination between various governmental agencies.
These were the issues that greeted Mayor Mohd. Majid Hussain on Tuesday when he along with other standing committee members and senior GHMC officials went around various lakes in and around the Serilingampally area (west zone) to oversee the chain fence works sanctioned at a cost of Rs.50 lakh per lake for protection.
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The Mayor was aghast at the pathetic state of affairs at various lake sites and observed that the Revenue Department appeared to have been hasty in demarcating the full tank level (FTL) boundaries during dry season.
Instead, FTLs should be considered for the area covered during heavy rains, he said at the Yellammakunta Lake, near Lanco Hills. The department should reconsider the boundaries and redesign the FTL to curb encroachments.
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Shocked on noticing illegal structures at Malkam Lake, he directed Chief City Planner (CCP) G.V. Raghu to halt the work and to issue a notice to the assistant city planner concerned for dereliction of duty as he was supposed to keep a tab on the unauthorised constructions within the buffer zone.
At Kunchakunta Lake, he noticed debris dumping by an IT firm and wondered why action was not taken despite Minister for Municipal Administration M. Maheedhar Reddy’s direction during the last inspection at the site.
A walkway for the nearby residents and improving the lake front was being proposed at the Kothaguda Lake.
No follow up
The Mayor lamented that there was no follow up action on the protection or development of lake fronts of the water bodies falling under the Industrial Area Local Authorities (IALAs) despite notices issued by the civic body. Without proper coordination between the Revenue Department, IALAs and the municipal corporation there was no point in spending crores of rupees, he said.
A meeting would be held with Mr. Maheedhar Reddy involving all the related departments to discuss the lacunae in the measures being taken to protect lakes and necessary improvements, he added. Medi and Barla lakes were among the other water bodies visited.