Hyderabad: The Buddha Purnima Project wing of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority that collected samples from nallas flowing into the Hussainsagar has found the presence of chemicals above the prescribed standards. This could be the reason for the complaints coming from Raj Bhavan in March that the lake stinks unbearably.
However, the AP Pollution Control Board says there is no chemical content in the lake water. After complaints in March, the APPCB officials inspected the lake. They found that bad maintenance of Interception and Diversion (I&D) structure near the Kukatpally nalla was the source of the odour.
Replying to the HMDA, the APPCB stated, “Poor maintenance of the Kukatpally I&D and the Balkapur nalla I&D is leading to stagnation of debris and sewerage which is causing the smell.”
A PCB official, who did not want to be named, said, “This problem would be more prevalent on rainy days if the predominant wind direction is towards Raj Bhavan. The sample testing carried out by the pollution control board does not prove presence of chemicals above the prescribed standards.”
To challenge APPCB’s results, the BBP took new samples for testing from eight places, including Kukatpally and Jeedimetla nalla. The tests showed that the concentration of lead and cadmium in both the nallas is far more than the prescribed limit.
The samples were collected in the afternoon. Industries discharge their chemicals early in the morning. The time at which samples are taken could be important.
“The I&D structures at both the nallas are being maintained 24x7 with intensive monitoring. The foul smell is due to unchecked chemical effluents released into the nalla entering the lake. Chemical waste is being let into Kukatpally nalla secretly. This issue has been brought to the notice of the PCB at several meetings,” said the rebuttal letter from the HMDA.
