Sewage, effluent turn lake blue at Miyapur, residents demands action

Hyderabad: Gurunadham Lake near Jaya Prakash Narayan Nagar in Miyapur has turned blue in colour because of the untreated industrial effluents and sewerage water that is being released into it. The lake is surrounded by several apartments and colonies. Residents complain of the unbearable stench and deteriorating living conditions and are demanding immediate action. 

The storm water drain outlet near the lake discharges sewage and industrial effluents into the lake. In the vicinity are private companies and a bus depot. 

Says Rakesh Chandra, who lives nearby,  "This is becoming a chronic problem. The smell is unbearable. It's very difficult to live here. Officials visited the place, but there is an immediate need to address this issue."

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has taken up the lake rejuvenation activity and has created a walkway. But no one wants to use this because of the filth. Plastic covers and waste litter the banks of the lake. 

An IT employee said, "The stench is unbearable especially for the past two weeks and the mosquito menace is making it worse. People are suffering from diseases like malaria and dengue because of this. There is immediate need to close the outlet and save the lake."

It may be mentioned that Serilingampally MLA Arekapudi Gandhi got the hyacinth growing in the lake removed twice using his own funds. However, with the spread of hydrophytes (underwater plants) the lake's water holding capacity is also slowly reducing. The hyacinth was last cleared in May. 

The MLA has asked the civic officials to take some steps to contain the stench and to prevent contamination of the lake.  The officials will be submitting a report on Monday.