`35 lakh sanctioned for cleaning Katora House lake

Resham Bagh: The 460-year-old Qutub Shahi swimming pool that now resembles a cesspool would finally get a makeover if everything goes according to plan.  Karwan, MLA Kausar Mohinuddin said, “The agency has allotted, and tender has been passed for an amount of Rs 35 lakh for cleaning the four-acre lake by the GHMC. Thereafter the lake will be handed over to the tourism board for beautification which will also include boating facility. The decision to beautify the lake was made a year ago by the minister K T Rama Rao during the inauguration of Deccan Park.”   

In spite of Katora House being under the Archaeological Survey of India, the cleaning and maintenance of the water body is much to be desired.  The residents of Resham Bagh near Golkonda Fort have been complaining for years about the rubbish that gets into Katora House. Mosquitoes are rampant for the sewerage lines are connected into the lake turning it into a hyacinth borne mosquito breeding cesspool.

A welder near Katora House, Mohammed Noor said, “Once in a few months Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) officials tour around the lake but do nothing. Sometimes thermal fogging is done but the mosquitoes menace returns.  There is immense stench during the day because of hyacinth and drainage water in the lake.” “Every monsoon the Attara Sidi road turns into a pond, as the drainage lines in the area is blocked. Water from the elevated regions of the fort flows here and there is no rainwater canal system or even proper drainage system in the area,” said a bakery owner in Resham Bagh, Syed Ahmed.

Katora House is a four-acre, perfectly symmetrical manmade lake. “This reservoir was filled with water from the Durg Talab (referring to Durgam Cheruvu). The reservoir supplied water to the inhabitants of the fort and also served as a pleasure resort for the grandees of the court during summer season. The name Kathora Hauz ‘cup cistern’ reflects the ambitious propensities of its builders. The lake is 10 feet deep and is bordered with lime plastered arches and staircases are arranged at the height of three feet each. A fountain is located right in the center to mark the axis of the structure.

BY Mayank Tiwari