In an expected scenario, the heavy rains that have been lashing Greater Hyderabad and its outskirts for the past one month, should have been enough to fill the two reservoirs Osmansagar and Himayathsagar to the brim. Unfortunately such has not been the case. Built by the Nizams, Osmansagar popularly known as Gandipet and Himayathsagar are the two major sources of drinking water supply to the citizens of Hyderabad city for the past 100 years. Numerous encroachments around the catchment area of the two lakes is one of the major reasons for the reservoir not being full to its capacity.
Places like Janwada, Bulkapur, Proddutur, Vikarabad, Anantagiri Hills, Chevella, Chandanagar, Shankarpally and other nearby villages are situated around the catchment areas of Osmansagar. Large-scale constructions, development of layouts, clubs, farm houses, resorts and restaurants are situated on these catchment areas.
Similarly, Parigi, Shadnagar, Narsingi, Chevella and few other villages around the catchment areas of Himayathsagar are also not spared. One can find developed layouts, resorts, houses cropping up in these areas. Because of this conctructions, the flow of water into these reservoirs is obstructed. As against the water storage of 3.900 TMC in Osmansagar, the present storage about 1.037 TMC. Similarly in Himayathsagar as against the storage of 2.976 TMC, present water storage it is 1.352 TMC. The combined storage of these two reservoirs is not even 40 per cent.
A few years ago, Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA) carried out a study on the Hyderabad Airport Development Authority (HADA) and uncovered large-scale developments on more than 25,000 acres of lands in the catchments.
As per the GO 111 issued by State Government in March 1996, developmental activities within the radius of 10 km of the two reservoirs is strictly prohibited. The order is just in paper and implementation just a word.
Realising the spurt in illegal activities in the prohibited areas of the two reservoirs, a few years ago the State Government proposed to set up Lake Area Protection Authority consisting of members from Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB), Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB),District Collector, Rangareddy, Environment Protection and Training Institute (EPTRI) and other concerned Departments.
But so far no action has been initiated by the State Government to set up the authority.
Speaking to ‘Expresso’, HMWS&SB officials said that developments in the 10 km radius has obstructed the flow of water into these two reservoirs.
–Agencies–