Hyderabad: Coliform levels in Hussain Sagar Lake show mixed trends during Ganesh idols immersion in 2025 compared to 2024

The TGPCB found increased levels of pollution in Hussain Sagar lake water during Ganesh immersion 2025, especially at immersion platforms. Key pollutants included coliform bacteria, TDS, COD, and BOD. Dissolved oxygen dropped to zero at major immersion sites

Hyderabad: Hussain Sagar lake water contained total coliform in three locations—Platform No 1, Necklace Road, and Budha statue—during Ganesh immersion in 2025, according to an analysis report of the Telangana Pollution Control Board (TGPCB).

However, the PCB report also says that there was a decreasing trend of total coliform in the remaining three locations—Platform No 2, Lumbini Park, and Necklace Road—compared to 2024.

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TGPCB authorities collected lake water samples before, during, and after Ganesh immersion from six locations, including Platform No 1 and 2, Lumbini Park, Necklace Road, Lepakshi Handicrafts and Buddha Statue at Hussain Sagar Lake, and after testing them, released water quality results. The levels of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) showed significant increasing trends during 2024 at Platform No 1 and 2, unlike the remaining four locations. However, a gradual decrease in TDS was observed in 2025, according to the TGPCB report.

Fecal coliform levels showed decreasing trends at all locations in 2025 compared to 2024, except at NTR Park and Platform No 1, where there was no change. No significant change in heavy metals was observed in 2025 over the previous year, the TGPCB analysis report stated.

Key highlights in the TGPCB report:

• A significant rise in chemical and biological contaminants in the lake water, with parameters such as dissolved oxygen and biochemical oxygen demand showing adverse changes.
• Before immersion, the concentration of the turbidity parameter showed significant increasing trends during immersion at four locations (Platform No 1, 2, Lumbini Park, Necklace Road) and decreased after immersion.
• The remaining two locations (Lepakshi Handicrafts and Buddha Statue) also showed increasing trends, but not so significantly, according to the member-secretary of TGPCB.
• The total dissolved solids (TDS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) values at all locations were higher than pre-immersion levels for COD and BOD at certain locations (Platform No 1, 2, Lumbini Park), where immersion took place.
• The maximum COD (280 mg/L) and BOD (94 mg/L) were recorded at NTR Park Platform No 1, where idol immersion was maximum, said the PCB report.
• Dissolved oxygen (DO) decreased during immersion and increased after immersion at all locations. However, at certain locations (Platform No 1, 2, Lumbini Park), where immersion took place, the DO decreased to nil.
• Total coliform and faecal coliform counts were significantly higher during and after immersion at all locations except at Lumbini Park, where the count remained unchanged (430 MPN/100 mL). There was no significant change in heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni, and Pb) during and after immersion.