Trimulgherry Lake gasping for breath

Trimulgherry: Another lake in Secunderabad is on the deathbed. After Ramakrishnapuram Lake, it is now the turn of Trimulgherry Lake to retreat to oblivion. A culvert running from Lal Bazaar to the lake was meant to let the polluted water flow into an outlet that would further take the water to Hashmathpet Lake and onwards to Begumpet Nala but without a proper channel, the water is let into the open lake.

For long, the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) denied that the lake was under it and said that it was under the Tourism Department which the latter denied recently. After repeated attempts by the residents living close to the lake, the SCB is now desilting the lake at one corner. However, Venkataramana, a resident of Malani Enclave said, “We want a permanent solution. The SCB should construct a proper channel and let the polluted water to the outlet at the far end of the lake.”

In 2002, after the city witnessed heavy rainfall, the adjoining colonies were flooded. Balraj, a resident whose house is at the mouth of the lake says, “Even in the recent rains, water receded and entered the roads in the colony.” Malani Enclave, Surya Enclave, Indian Airlines Colony, Padmanabha Colony, Mahalaxmi Colony and a few other colonies are affected by the lake.

The area has turned into a mosquito breeding zone. Gopalakrishna, a resident of Surya Avenue, says, “People have been falling ill often. A senior citizen Rohatagi was affected by swine flu. One can even see dead animals being dumped in the lake.” Almost every few months a new inlet is added to the lake, say locals. Just two decades ago, the flow of water was minimal but with the increase in colonies in the cantonment, the water flow has increased.