Hyderabad: Nearly half of Durgam Cheruvu is covered in water hyacinth, a clear indicator of nutrient overload caused by untreated sewage entering the lake, officials found during an inspection by the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) on Tuesday.The inspection was carried out by HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath following media reports and complaints from local residents over a persistent foul smell emanating from the lake in Madhapur. The team found that untreated sewage was discharged directly into the lake through a stormwater drain, despite the presence of sewage treatment plants (STPs).When irrigation officials cited excess sewage inflow beyond STP capacity as the reason for diverting wastewater into the drain, the commissioner objected, stating that surplus sewage must be routed through sewer lines and not allowed to enter water bodies directly. “How are we treating sewage through STPs on one hand while allowing untreated sewage to flow into the lake on the other?” he asked the officials.Ranganath also added that rejuvenation cannot be limited to cosmetic beautification. “We also asked Raheja, the agency executing the lake development works, about steps taken to prevent sewage inflow and control the spread of water hyacinth,” he said.Ranganath further said the foul smell and ecological degradation of Durgam Cheruvu were the result of poor coordination and lack of accountability among multiple agencies, including GHMC, the water board, the irrigation department, Raheja Mindspace and Ramky, which manages the STPs.He directed officials to collect treated water samples from the STPs and send them to the Pollution Control Board for testing.Following the field inspection, Ranganath held a review meeting at the HYDRA office with officials from all concerned departments.Officials from the irrigation, electricity, GHMC and water board departments were instructed to immediately initiate measures to stop sewage inflow into the lake. “We also asked Raheja representatives to excavate a canal along the western side of the lake to prevent sewage from uphill IT establishments, including Inorbit Mall and Nectar Gardens, from entering Durgam Cheruvu,” he said.
