Osman Nagar issue: Officials caught in catch – 22 situation

Jalpally: The officials of Jalpally Municipality appear to have been caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. As people of Osman Nagar are seeking early draining out of clogged water from their area, another group which is vigorously opposing the move also approached the court. They sought termination of activity involving draining out of water from Venkatapur Lake, while accusing the officials of brazenly emptying the water body and impacting the natural resource.

"To allow draining out clogged water from Osman Nagar, the officials have out of the blue started laying a pipeline by damaging the sewerage system in Venkatapur village and causing residents a great inconvenience. The polluted water and sewerage is bouncing back into houses due to damage caused to the sewerage system. Villagers especially the women are suffering most as they can't go out to attend nature's call," lamented K Ganesh, President Mudiraj Sangam of Venkatapur Village.

He further said the villagers used to grow fishes in the lake as they mainly belong to Mudiraj community. "Due to draining out of water through pipeline and pumping in the lake, the fish seedlings purchased by the villagers through community funding are being drained out through the pipeline, causing heavy loss to them," bemoaned Ganesh.

The issue ratcheted-up with the officials laying a pipeline on war footing to drain out the water from the area after being whipped by the court in recent months. Meanwhile, the people of Venkatapur area too upped the ante against the municipality officials for allowing the water to pass through their way. The residents of the colony have moved the court in the meantime, seeking stopping of emptying of the lake in the guise of helping people of the inundated area.

"It became almost a crux for the officials as pressure from warring sides – one seeking draining out of clogged water while another opposing the move, consistently putting them on their toes ever since the water body was breached the bund after heavy rains lashed in October last year. Though we are working hard to find a way out by making efforts consistently to drain out the water from the area, people on the other end are protecting and taking umbrage over us for allowing the water to pass on from their colonies. One party even approached the court seeking prevention of exhausting the water body," informed an official on the condition of anonymity.

Till now, the officials have cleared much of the water from the area but a quantum of 2.5 feet of clogged water still needs to be drained out for which we are making regular arrangements and putting consistent efforts to resolve the issue on a priority basis.