Hyderabad: Wall for toxic lake may not help

Hyderabad: Lake conservation experts in the city say that the move to build a retaining wall around the Dharaninagar drain could backfire, as the lake had a history of spilling toxic foam. The drain, which is connected to the Parkhi Cheruvu Lake upstream, carries the sewage of 500 households and overflows every year during monsoon, spilling on to roads in the colony.

Lake conservation expert B. V. Subba Rao said, “If a wall is built around the drain and if it develops toxic frothing again, then air turbulence could develop over the drainage leading to froth dispersing to greater heights.” 

He said the situation could create public health problems and safety hazards as the foam could catch fire and cause problems. The Pollution Control Board has also distanced itself from the project stating that money should rather be invested on treating the sewage. 

“The drain could be treated or diverted. The lake could also be cleaned of weeds. This move would not solve pollution problems at all,” said a senior Pollution Control Board official.

Experts also asked why colonies are set up close to lakes and why no scientific study was undertaken about the expected growth in sewage flowing into the drain.

Mr Gajanand, the assistant city planner of the area, says that the existing design was made keeping in mind the incoming flow for 10 years from now. “Pollutants are coming from the Quthubullapur industrial area which Pollution Control Board teams would look into,” he said, when asked about the frothing.

All about Dharaninagar drain

• Dharaninagar drain is connected to the Parakhi Cheruvu Lake which has around five colonies surrounding it.
•  The drain is also under dispute as the municipality claims the flood area of the drain was encroached upon. But locals say that they had been living in the area for around 30 years. 
• The widening of the drain was stopped due to a legal dispute​.

The new retaining wall 
600 metres length 
7feet depth