Danger flows at Hussainsagar nala

Polluted water of any kind poses health risks of all kinds. Add hazardous chemicals to that and a new level of dangers open. Such is the situation of people residing near the areas where the Hussainsagar nala flows.

People residing in Kavadiguda, Dhobi Ghat, Nehru Nagar, Ashok Nagar and DS Nagar claim that the nala water is mixed with industrial chemicals coming from Jeedimetla and Patancheru and consequently is affecting health of pregnant women and children there.

A pregnant women at lower Tank Bund, Laxmi Devi rued, “We are facing a lot of health problems and are unable to breath due to the foul smell emanating from the nala”.

“The chemicals, which are been mixed is nala water, are affecting our children, women and senior citizens; relatives have stopped visiting our house. Children are suffering for thyroid, fever, stones in kidney and breathing problems,” informed K Lalithi, another resident.

“Utensils and silver ornaments have changed their colour; they’ve all become black,” she added. Consultant Gynecologist at Citizen Hospital, Dr Jyoti Kankanala informed that even the smell of chemicals is hazardous and can impact any human body adversely. “It has a direct impact on pregnant women and children; there can have complaints of thyroid, skin and breathing problems,” she said.

“Pregnant women should have regular health check up as it can have an effect on growth of children such as low IQ, unable to ate, skin reactions and many more,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Pollution Control Board (PCB) has another take on the matter. Officials from the department maintain that the water in the nala is not mixed with chemicals and is “only” sewage water.

When contacted, a senior scientist at PCB said that the nala water has been diverted to Ashok Nagar nala. “We have collected water samples from the nala, which shows that it is mixed with sewage water and there are no industrial chemicals in it.

The foul smell that is emanating from the nala is due to the sewage water pressure that comes under Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB),” he said. “We have written a letter to the Water Board to check on the Hussainsagar nala,” he added.

By Aneri Shah