Locals are gearing up to oppose the CM’s proposal for a special tank for immersions
The Bhagyanagar Utsav Committee members meanwhile are dead against the government's proposal to bar immersion of idols in Hussainsagar. (Photo: PTI)
Hyderabad: Even as public authorities have started studying the feasibility for creating a lake at Indira Park in Lower Tank Bund, locals, regular walkers and health club members are gearing up for stiff opposition to the Telangana Chief Minister’s proposal.
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation commissioner, Mr Somesh Kumar said, “There are low-lying areas within Indira Park where water stagnates during rains. We have already started studying the feasibility to develop the proposed Vinayaksagar Lake and will submit a report in two-three days.”
However, a large group of people have started criticizing the CM’s proposal and gearing up to oppose the move.
Dr Sudhakar Yadav, president, Indira Park Walkers Association said, “How can the government propose to create a pond for immersion of idols within the park that is a health platform and has been the lung space for thousands of denizens in the city over the decades. Over 5,600 walkers visit the park every day, there is also a yoga centre, laughing club and other facilities within the park area. In the last five years, over '80 lakh has been spent to develop it. The park has already shrunk from 103 acre to 87 acre due to various commercial sites. Developing a pond for immersion of idols in the park is going to disturb all the regular activities of the denizens. If need be we will approach the court against this move of the government.”
D. Narasingh, a senior citizen and a resident of a colony near Indira Park said, “When half the Tank Bund area is not sufficient for Ganesh Idol immersion, how can a pond within the park suffice? It is only going to cause chaos to thousands of residents around here.”
The Bhagyanagar Utsav Committee members meanwhile are dead against the government’s proposal to bar immersion of idols in Hussainsagar.
Mr Ravinuthala Sashidhar, secretary, Bhagyanagar Utsav Committee said, “The failure of the State Pollution Control Board and municipal bodies in preventing inflow of industrial effluents and sewerage that are polluting the Hussainsagar is being pushed on the Ganesh Idols.
Though the government has proposed to create a separate lake, Vinayaksagar Lake at Indira Park to save Hussainsagar from the perils of pollution due to immersing of idols, activists and environmentalists hardly see it as a solution.
M. Vedakumar, president, Forum for Better Hyderabad, said, “Instead of centralised immersion, government should focus on decentralised immersion of Ganesh idols or other idols by developing existing ponds or creating ponds at different places in the city. Besides, it (government) should emphasise on enforcing the High Court order of allowing eco-friendly Ganesh idols made of clay.
Presently, the lake is taken care of by more than two departments, including the GHMC, HMDA, Tourism department and others. Hence, there is no proper coordination and progress on its restoration. The government should create a separate body for Hussainsagar and restore it to its past glory, opines an activist of the Hussainsagar campaign.
The EPTRI lab of PCB said that the pollution caused by the Ganesh idols was not much. PoP Idols take at least six month to dissolve, since the idols are being removed within 24 hours of immersion, where is the question of pollution? It is only a move hurting Hindu sentiments. We will continue our age old tradition of immersing Ganesh Idols in the Hussain Sagar.”
Though the government has proposed to create a separate lake, Vinayaksagar Lake at Indira Park to save Hussainsagar from the perils of pollution due to immersing of idols, activists and environmentalists hardly see it as a solution.
M. Vedakumar, president, Forum for Better Hyderabad, said, “Instead of centralised immersion, government should focus on decentralised immersion of Ganesh idols or other idols by developing existing ponds or creating ponds at different places in the city. Besides, it (government) should emphasise on enforcing the High Court order of allowing eco-friendly Ganesh idols made of clay.
Presently, the lake is taken care of by more than two departments, including the GHMC, HMDA, Tourism department and others. Hence, there is no proper coordination and progress on its restoration. The government should create a separate body for Hussainsagar and restore it to its past glory, opines an activist of the Huss-ainsagar campaign.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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