Hyderabad: A day after the Ganesh immersion, the government’s dream plan to clean Hussainsagar Lake has resurfaced. Earlier, during summer this year, the state agencies had let out lake water through the sluices and weirs. However the job was halted till Ganesh immersion as the move attracted criticism from the Opposition.
The GHMC commissioner and special officer on Tuesday announced that the government is serious about de-watering the lake by draining the tank or by an organic method to purify the lake water.
“The government has contacted various consultancies and international organisations and the same is being examined. Firstly the entire water from the Hussainsagar Lake will be taken out; or by adapting an organic method the existing water can be purified without affecting the environment. So far the government departments have diverted the Kukatpally nala to the other side and if any heavy downpour occurs the government would clear the water immediately,” said the commissioner.
With regard to delimitation of 150 wards as per 2011 census, the commissioner said, “Approximately each ward will consist of 40,000 people. There is an increase of nearly 10 per cent population in certain wards. The process of delimitation will be completed in the coming 10 days and after completion a notification will be issued,” the commissioner added.
Immersion of 200 more idols, 9,000 MT garbage removed
Over 200 more Ganesh idols are expected to be immersed on the 13th day at Hussainsagar. The HMDA has removed over 3,000 metric tonnes from the NTR Marg side since day one. The removal of idols will end by Thursday night, said officials.
That apart the one-day affair of Bakrid celebrations generated 4,000 metric tonnes of animal waste which is more than one day’s waste that entire Hyderabad generates.
Over 94,000 plastic bags were distributed for waste collection. The two-day Ganesh celebration generated over 4,500 MT of garbage.
On Sept. 25, over 7,500 MT of waste was generated including the city’s waste and over the weekend including Monday’s delayed immersion around nine MT was cleared from the city by the GHMC sanitation wing.
Water quality goes from bad to worse at hussainsagar
The quality of water at Hussainsagar has gone from bad to worse due to Ganesh immersion. Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB) conducted water monitoring at six points of the lake on five days during the Ganesh festival.
The locations were Lumbini Park, Platform 1 and 2 opposite NTR Park, Necklace Road, Lepakshi handicrafts and at midstream near Buddha statue.
The TSPCB said that a complete report on other impacts on water like heavy metal pollution and sediment analysis will be released in a few days along with that of water pollution in other water bodies in the state.
