TT Impact: HYDRAA tackles foul smell at Durgam Cheruvu with coordinated response

HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath criticised the lack of coordination among GHMC, Water Board, Irrigation Department, Raheja Mindspace, and Ramky company for the foul smell emanating from Durgam Cheruvu. He convened a meeting with organisations responsible for safeguarding the lake.

Hyderabad: Lack of coordination and responsibility among GHMC, Water Board, Irrigation Department, Raheja Mindspace, and Ramky company (responsible for STP maintenance) was the reason for the foul smell emanating from Durgam Cheruvu, said the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) Commissioner AV Ranganath.

After inspecting the lake on Tuesday, he enquired about the reasons for the spread of water hyacinth to about half of the lake.

‘Telangana Today’ highlighted the conditions of Durgam Cheruvu in these pages on January 16.

The Commissioner expressed anger over the direct discharge of sewage into Durgam Cheruvu through the storm drain despite the presence of STPs. When the irrigation engineers explained that the excess sewage had to be diverted this way due to the high volume of sewage flowing to the STPs, he stated that this was unacceptable.

Ranganath questioned the representatives of Raheja company, which undertook the development work of Durgam Cheruvu, and asked about efforts made to control the mixing of sewage into the lake and the spread of water hyacinth.

He also ordered the officials to collect water samples after the sewage water was treated at the STPs and send them to the PCB for testing.

Later, the HYDRAA Commissioner held a meeting with organisations responsible for the protection of the lake.