Pedda Cheruvu may meet Hussainsagar fate

​Mahbubnagar: With all drains in Mahbubnagar letting out dirty water into Pedda Cheruvu, the much-hyped tourism project taken up by the government to convert the lake into a mini Tank Bund may meet the same fate as Hussainsagar in Hyderabad.

Recently, the state government had allocated about Rs 10 crore for the development and beautification of the lake. Under Mission Kakatiya scheme, the government had widened and strengthened the mud bund along the two km stretch and installed two water fountains at a cost of Rs 12 lakh. It also launched a boating facility at the lake.

• Waste from drains in the district is being let into the lake.
• No comprehensive plan to tackle pollution

“Earlier the bund was thinner with unwanted bushes and thorny Juliflora trees all along the water point.” Thanks to the initiative of our MLA Srinivas Goud, who has been instrumental in convincing the state government to allocate funds for its beautification and development,” said G Yadagiri, a watchman appointed to take care of the facilities at the bund.

However, the most significant problem that needs to be tackled is the increasing dumping of waste into the lake. Drainage water from all domestic, hospital and factory drains situated in and around Mahbubnagar is being let into Pedda Cheruvu.

As the district headquarters is expanding, the entire region of the lake has become a central part of the town with all residential buildings, institutions, hospitals, workshops and factories surrounding the lake.

Particularly the harmful waste let out from surrounding nursing homes and hospitals situated in the vicinity, is becoming a big threat to the lake. The biological, medicinal and other extracted human organs during surgeries are also being dumped into the lake.

Due to excessive pollution, the entire lake is covered with green algae and hyacinth which is spoiling the beauty of the lake,” said Mohammad Mouram, a visitor at the lake.

With a view to these issues, the civic authorities should first design a comprehensive and long term plan for the lake and divert drainage water elsewhere.

“The recently-installed fountains are defunct now. The boating facility is also opened occasionally. We have come here to enjoy the evening. But the lighting at the lake is not bright enough.

The protective railing installed along the bund also collapsed during the recent rains. What we expect is whatever development is done, should remain for a longer time and it should provide the best possible facilities for the visiting tourists,” Akula Shouri, a local visitor to the bund said.

By:A Raju