Hyderabad: The TRS government’s ambitious proposal to empty the Hussainsagar by the coming summer and restore it to its past glory is going to be one full of challenges.
There are many “firsts” in the task.
While some experts say that it can be achieved through a well-designed programme by roping in massive workforce and machinery, others point out the tough practical issues that will be faced while executing the project.
Besides the inflow of rainwater, the lake receives about 50 million litres per day (MLD) of polluted water through different drains including effluents, sewerage etc.
The first step would be to ensure that the entry of polluted water into the lake is diverted by creating a system, which in itself is an onerous task.
Dr S. Jeevananda Reddy, convenor, Forum for a Sustainable Environment, said, “There are many systems that are linked and are dependent on the Hussainsagar. Sewerage, effluents, which flow into the lake, first need to be diverted. The government has been attempting, it but has failed so far.”
However, T. Hanumanth Rao, retired engineer-in-chief of the state Irrigation department and consultant for United Nations, said that the task was possible through a well-designed programme.
The government has sanctioned Rs 100 crore for diverting sewerage and tenders for diversion of drains (nalas) will be called soon.
Even if inflow of 50 MLD of polluted water is prevented, draining out the water is a challenge.
An expert on condition of anonymity said, “Since there is no sluice gate with the Hussainsagar Lake, the two outlets one at Secunderabad side at the Marriot Hotel and another at Hyderabad side besides the Buddha Purnima Project (BPP) Office needs to be dug up so that the water is let out.”
Veda Kumar, president, Forum For Better Hyderabad said, “Even if a facility to let the water out in large quantities was created, it would be passing through densely populated areas before joining river Musi, which would have its own consequences.”
Hanumanth Rao, meanwhile, said that the safest way was to empty the water in the three operations, letting out certain amount of water opening two sluice gates, siphoning and then pumping.
He added, “After the water is drained out, the sediments need to be removed using heavy machinery including hydraulic excavators and dumpers.
“However, the process needs to be taken up on a war footing, with a well designed program so that it is completed by May and the lake will fill up with water from the monsoon.”
Jeevanand Reddy said, “The deposits in the lake reach a depth of 30 feet or more and this is spread across the 1,200 acre. Excavating the hazardous sediments and then dumping it is a challenge. Smaller lakes and ponds were dried and refilled in parts of the world, drying tanks of such size have not been heard off.”
