GHMC to come up with lake-wise master plan for protection of lakes, tanks

Hyderabad: For protection and conservation of tanks and lakes in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation area, the State government will soon come up with a lake-wise master plan to define the boundaries of water bodies and their full tank level (FTL) areas, prevent encroachments, diversion of sewage canals, and also take up beautification works. The government […]

Hyderabad: For protection and conservation of tanks and lakes in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation area, the State government will soon come up with a lake-wise master plan to define the boundaries of water bodies and their full tank level (FTL) areas, prevent encroachments, diversion of sewage canals, and also take up beautification works. The government has already initiated several measures for protection and conservation of about 185 tanks and lakes identified in GHMC limits.

Responding to the questions posed in the State Legislative Assembly during the Question Hour on Monday, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister KT Rama Rao said the government was taking measures like chain-link mesh fencing, beautification of bunds, development of walking tracks, diversion of sewage water and integrated tank development, for protection of lakes and tanks in Hyderabad city. Of 185 tanks identified in GHMC limits, the government took up development of 127 tanks with Rs 407.3 crore. Around Rs 218 crore have been spent on development of all these tanks and completed works at 48 tanks.

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Similarly, the government has launched beautification of 63 tanks with Rs 94 crore and works have been completed in 48 tanks in GHMC area, while the remaining are in progress. Around 19 tanks have been revived with Rs 282.63 crore under Mission Kakatiya Urban. Repair and restoration of 45 tanks have been taken up with Rs 30 crore. The Chief Minister had recently approved Rs 3,866 crore for setting up 31 new Seweage Treatment Plants (STPs) in Hyderabad to make the city cent per cent sewage treatment city in next two years. While only 772 MLDs of sewage is being treated with the available STPs, plans are afoot to treat the entire 1,600 MLD sewage being produced by the city.

Admitting that several tanks were destroyed over the years in erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, the Minister said the Telangana government was committed to strengthen the tanks and protect them. He said a Special Commissioner for Lakes will be appointed in GHMC soon for the first time, to protect and develop existing tanks. The Special Commissioner also will be responsible for forming Lake Protection Committees to monitor and take action against any encroachments, relief and rehabilitation of those living on the encroached areas. He assured that the government will deal with a humane approach in case of evacuation of the poor and the weaker sections who encroached the tank bunds.

“We will convene a meeting with all MLAs of GHMC area on the Assembly premises on Wednesday, to discuss the issue in-depth,” Rama Rao said. He made it clear that no construction work will be allowed in Shikham patta lands in FTL area or even tanks, but the government was ready to compensate the private persons with 400 per cent Transferable Development Rights (TDR).

Nala Encroachments

Responding to questions on encroachment of Nalas or stormwater drainages in the city, he stated that the nala encroachments have become a major challenge for the GHMC authorities. However, he pointed out that the officials have removed over 3,000 encroachments and expanded the nalas in Chandrayangutta area, besides rehabilitating all those who were evacuated. “We request the elected representatives from all political parties to cooperate with the government for removing nala encroachments. Politics should not come in the way of development,” he asserted.

The Minister said the State government would adopt a RRR mantra – remove encroachments, rehabilitate families immediately and retain nala width simulataneously. He said of about 90,000 double bedroom houses being constructed in GHMC, around 65,000 houses were completed. He said that he would appeal the Chief Minister as well as the Housing Minister to set aside 20,000-25,000 houses exclusively for rehabilitation of the poor families who encroached on nalas.