The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority has decided to use the services of Environmental Protection Training and Research Institute (EPTRI) in tackling the contentious issue of hazardous material to be dredged out of Hussainsagar lake, reports thehindu.com.
Hussain Sagar Lake is a historic lake constructed in the year 1562 A.D to meet the irrigation needs of Hyderabad. This lake was also used as drinking water source from 1884 to 1930. The present water spread area is about 5 Sq Km with a shoreline length of 14 Kms.
Sources of pollution
There are four major Nalas (Inlets) joining Hussain Sagar Lake namely a) Balkapur Nala b) Banjara Nala c) Kukatpally Nala iv) Picket Nala. Over a period of time the entire catchment area of Hussain Sagar Lake is urbanised and some industrial areas have come up. Presently raw sewage comes through all the above Nalas into the Hussain Sagar Lake. Industiral effluents are coming through Kukatpally Nala. Large quatities of solid waste including floating material joins the Hussain Sagar Lake through these Nalas. The other sources of pollution includes direct discharges from few slums, dried flowers and garlands (Puja material), Immersion of Ganesh and Durga Idols, Visitors, Tourists, Commercial establishments etc.
Revamped system of Hussain Sagar cleaning
HMDA is maintaining the Hussain Sagar Lake. Removal of floating material and shoreline cleaning is undertaken by BPP. Major Hussainsagar clan-up exercise has been taken up under JICA assisted HCIP Project (Hussain Sagar Catchment Area Improvement Project) and is under implementation.
A revamped system of Hussain Sagar cleaning is proposed, and the following are the major components:
1. Removal of floating material and shoreline cleaning.
2. Treatment of inflows (I&D’s & STP’s).
3. Improvement in quality of lake water.
4. Protection of lakes and nalas in catchment areas.
5. Public awareness and Stakeholders participation.
In order to improve the quality of lake water, the following operations are proposed to be taken up:
a) Dredging of sediments at the mouths of Nalas – going to commence shortly.
b) Aeration: 7 number of High Jet Fountains are installed.
c) Further steps for Aeration and Oxidation : it is proposed to take up in future for improvement in quality of water.
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Dredging Today Staff, July 18, 2012