Saroornagar lake to get ` 16 cr facelift

Saroornagar: The 98-acre Saroornagar Lake has been sanctioned Rs 16 crore. There was a time when the lake spread over 200 acres but due to encroachments and neglect it has turned into a cesspool. Officials say that the lake beautification works would be taken up soon and tenders for several works have been finalized. 

Diversion of sewerage As of now, the drainage of close to 150 colonies is connected to the lake. Sewerage from Edi Bazar, Gangotri Nagar, Saidabad, Champapet, IS Nagar, Rein Bazar is entering into the lake. The Greater Hyderabad Municipality Corporation (GHMC) is planning to divert the waste through box type trunk line into the Musi for which Rs 9 crore has been allotted. A senior official said that initially Rs 9 crore was the budget but after the inclusion of the trunk line, the budget was increased to Rs 16 crore. 

Apart from the sewerage from the Old City, drainage water from around 300 colonies including BN Reddy Nagar, RN Reddy, Meerpet, Jillelaguda, Dhatu Nagar enters into the lake. Officials say that box type drainage would help link to trunk line. Among the various plans to beautify the lake include diversion of storm water, service road, walking track, fencing and a development a la mini tank bund. The tender process for the removal of hyacinth has been finalised.

BY P Venkateshwarlu