Osmansagar, Himayatsagar exposed to 50 polluting firms
The AP High Court in 2010 had directed the State Pollution Control Board to ban existing industrial units within a 10-km radius of Osmansagar (Gandipet) and Himayatsagar. (PHoto: DC/File)
Hyderabad: The city’s two major reservoirs behind the Golconda Fort, Osmansagar and Himayatsagar, are getting polluted at an alarming rate thanks to the industrial units in its catchment area. Also, sewerage water from residential areas situated along the small stream of the reservoirs continuously flows into the reservoir, making it a breeding ground for bacteria.
The AP High Court in 2010 had directed the State Pollution Control Board to ban existing industrial units within a 10-km radius of Osmansagar (Gandipet) and Himayatsagar. However, the PCB, which took commitment letters from the polluting industries on directions from the High Court, has failed to pursue the issue and evacuate the polluting industries.
In the Katedan Industrial limits, falling in the catchment area of the two reservoirs, textile dyeing and printing units, edible oil refineries and lead extraction units have mushroomed.
“After the court’s directions, certain battery, oil and textiles units were moved from that area, however, more than 50 potentially polluting ind-ustries are still functional in the area. For years they have been dumping untreated or at best diluted industrial effluents into the nalas and nearby lakes. The waters of the lakes have become pink and emanate an obnoxious odor. There are good chances that these pollutants could seep into the groundwater and spread,” said Dr Lubna Sarwat of Save Our Urban Lakes (SOUL).
A Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TS PCB) official, on condition of anonymity, said, “Over 43 of the 59 polluting industries are still operational in the banned region. We will soon issue them show-cause notices.” He added, “We have held a discussion with them along with the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC) for their relocation.”
While seeking a status report on its directions recently, the Hyderabad High Court had expressed its displeasure at the PCB for failing to take action against the units despite closure orders.
An official source said, “Though these industries bought land to set up their industries in Toopran and other areas in the city outskirts, they are facing resistance from villagers, and the gram panchayat has not issued them permits.”
People believed that the waters of Osmansagar, popularly known as Gandipet, has curative properties. However, recent reports show otherwise.
As per the PCB reports, the water quality of the two city reservoirs, Osmansagar and Himayatsagar, fall under the ‘C’ category (drinkable only after purification) with more than 500 bacteria in every 100 ml of water.
A senior environmental scientist with the Telangana Pollution Control Board said, “The water belongs to the‘C’ category with more than 500 Coliform bacteria. This bacteria usually breeds in sewerage.”
PCB lab categorises the water into three types: Class A, the freshest water, Class B mid grade and Class C water will be drinkable only after proper disinfection and chlorination.
A PCB official said, “The sewage from the nearby residential areas keep flowing into the water despite our warnings. Even cattle and other animals are bathed in the water body.”
Presently, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) sources 40 MGD (million gallons of water per day) water from these two reservoirs.
The city Water Board, however, claims that the water is properly treated by them and is pure.
( Source : dc )
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