Sewage chokes iconic Langar Houz lake, residents demand urgent cleanup action
Langar Houz Lake in Hyderabad has turned into a polluted dumping ground due to encroachments, untreated sewage and solid waste. Residents say the shrinking water body is vital for groundwater recharge and have urged authorities to restore and protect it
Hyderabad: The iconic Langar Houz Lake, once a vital drinking water source, has now turned into a toxic cesspool. Located a few kilometres from the historic Golconda Fort and Bapu Ghat, the lake stands today as a stark symbol of urban neglect.
Originally spread over 42 acres, the water body has now shrunk to about 25 acres due to rampant encroachments, residents said. Nearly half of the lakebed is occupied by cattle sheds, mechanical workshops and illegal parking spaces.
More than 75 per cent of the lake’s surface has reportedly become a dumping ground for solid waste, including mattresses, plastic gunny bags and animal carcasses. The remaining water is choked with water hyacinth and toxic froth, emitting an unbearable stench in the neighbourhood. Tonnes of waste have accumulated along the shoreline.
The lake is heavily polluted by untreated sewage, water hyacinth and chemical effluents. Waste dumped along the banks includes polythene covers, damaged mattresses, pillows, cushion material, plastic gunny bags, food waste, non-vegetarian leftovers and discarded pooja material from nearby shrines.
Despite the installation of a 1.2 MLD sewage treatment plant in 2005, pollution continues due to the discharge of untreated wastewater. The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), formerly HUDA, had developed a park on a small portion of the lake.
Residents told Telangana Today that the lake plays a crucial role in recharging groundwater and urged civic authorities to protect it and restore its past glory.