Members of SOUL (Save Our Urban Lakes) and other civil society organizations have strongly criticize the state government’s decision of de-watering Hussainsagar Lake to clean it up. Questioning the necessity, scientific basis, economics and wisdom of the decision to empty Hussainsagar into Musi River, SOUL and civil society have demanded a white paper on the discussion.
The 450-odd-years old Hussainsagar, at present, is spread across nearly 1,600 acres or 6 square kilometers and comprises nearly about 40,000 cubic liters of water contaminated with highly concentrated toxic material.
We would submit a report to chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and if necessary, we would lodge a police complaint against the chief minister himself under Section 505 of IPC for causing fear or alarm among public, especially those who are living in the downstream of Hussainsagar and Musi River, says a SOUL member.
“Instead of taking action against pollutant industries, Govt is resorting to unscientific and uninformed steps, says Sarwath, co-convener of SOUL. She also demanded proceedings of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Social Impact Assessment (SIA)due to de-watering the Hussainsagar.
Environmentalist and academician, Prof K Purushotham Reddy, urged the government to take steps to prevent non-point source pollutants from entering the lake and provide tertiary treatment facilities for removal of phosphorous and nitrogen at 20 mld STP, instead discharging water into Musi River.