Hyderabad: The GHMC and HMDA authorities say that since the place is a tourist attraction, increasing the height of the fence will ‘spoil’ the look.
The 450-odd-year-old Hussainsagar has seen 636 suicide attempts since 2015. Family quarrels and financial difficulties have prompted many, including women with babies in their arms, to jump into the sewage-mixed waters.
“We have put up mesh covers to keep people from throwing garbage into the lake. However, the fencing of the lake comes under the GHMC,” said Param Jyothi, EE of the HMDA.
“We have deployed one constable every half a kilometre. They keep a close watch on people coming near the lake. If we suspect somebody, we call his family members to cross check,” Lake police inspector Dhanalaxmi said.
Local vendors often alert the police when they spot people sitting in one place for a long time or moving dangerously close to the lake. “We have stepped up patrolling at night because this is when people succeed in their attempts,” inspector Dhanalaxmi said.
The inspector counsels rescued people and urges them to remember the problems they may be creating for their near and dear ones. Sometimes the suicide prone are sent to the Bharosa centres for counselling and guidance.
