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Tank Bund to stink till next summer
The much talked about ‘Operation Clean Hussainsagar’, aimed at reviving the largest manmade lake in the world, will not take off this summer. Although the Telangana Government was very particular in undertaking the mission of dewatering the highly polluted lake and removal of the silt before monsoon sets in this year, the official
The much talked about ‘Operation Clean Hussainsagar’, aimed at reviving the largest manmade lake in the world, will not take off this summer. Although the Telangana Government was very particular in undertaking the mission of dewatering the highly polluted lake and removal of the silt before monsoon sets in this year, the official machinery was unable to succeed owing to various bottlenecks.
International experts have also been roped in now further delaying the drive. A team of experts from Austria descended in the city early this week and held elaborate discussions with the GHMC, Water Board, HMDA, Pollution Control Board and irrigation departments. They even inspected adjoining nalas and surrounding areas collecting water samples. The Austrian team was scheduled to meet Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to submit a report about their findings.
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However, they left home after meeting the Chief Secretary raising doubts whether foreign experts were not convinced on dealing with such a big task to revive the Hussainsagar. However, top officials in the municipal and administration department explained that the Austrian team would send their detailed report in the coming days. They wanted to consult some more experts in their country and brief their government before coming up with views on reviving Hussainsagar.
“As soon as we receive the report, the government would be briefed about it to take a final decision whether or not to take assistance from abroad,” stated a senior official. Notwithstanding the ruling of the High Court, which suspended order of the National Green Tribunal restraining the GHMC from draining the Hussainsagar, authorities are unlikely to go ahead.
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Objections being raised by environmentalist activists, concerns expressed by people living in Musi downstream areas that receive the water released from the lake and not to forget the time factor (only few weeks remain before monsoon hits the State in early June) meant that the officials put off their plans until next year. Noted environmentalist Prof. Purushottam observed that GHMC had drained almost five feet water in the lake in the last fortnight alone.
“In the name of making Hussainsagar a recreation place, the administration is releasing poisonous water from the lake and risking lives of lakhs of citizens living in Musi downstream areas,” he lamented. He also faulted the government for taking foreign collaboration when there are eminent scientists, institutions and researchers dealing with the subject.
“The highly polluted Danube River in Vienna was cleaned not just by Austria but assistance from 180 different groups in Europe. Also, the government should involve stakeholders and experts from the city on how to go about the cleaning drive than just depend on the official machinery,” the professor added.
By:Mahesh Avadhutha
