Environmental activist calls for action against encroachments at Himayat Sagar Reservoir

Hyderabad: Lubna Sarwath, an environmental activist and member of the Indian National Congress, has raised serious concerns regarding illegal constructions threatening the Himayat Sagar Reservoir. She claimed that Yeturu Farms, Patnam, and surrounding areas are affected by concrete access roads, Geetha and Bhaskar walls, BT roads, and other structures built in prohibited zones of Survey Number 60 in Himayat Sagar Village, Gandipet Mandal, and Survey Numbers 10 and 12 in Kotwalguda Village, Shamshabad Mandal.

Lubna Sarwath highlighted that for the past decade, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB), under the supervision of MLA KTR, has focused on water removal rather than addressing encroachments that threaten the integrity of the reservoir. She brought these concerns to the attention of Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.

In her statements, Lubna Sarwath presented prima facie evidence regarding the construction activities disrupting the Himayat Sagar reservoir. She referenced extracts from NRSC maps covering the years 2012 to 2023, which illustrate the illegal appropriation of the public drinking water reservoir. Additionally, she provided Google Earth satellite imagery from 2021 and 2024 that documents the environmental degradation in the area.

“These illegal constructions, including heavy concretization, are a clear violation of regulations, and it is distressing that the people’s water has been compromised by lifting the gates at Himayat Sagar before the reservoir reaches its full capacity,” Lubna Sarwath stated.

The environmental activist further noted the presence of froth observed in the reservoir due to encroachment and poor maintenance, alongside constructions near the Full Tank Level (FTL) pillar.

In light of her findings, Lubna urged Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to instruct the relevant officials to demolish the illegal structures at Yeturu, Patnam, and in the surrounding areas of Survey Numbers 60, 10, and 12. She also called for immediate action against the concrete mix plant located within the eco-sensitive zone.

Sarwath also asked Chief Minister Revanth to instruct officials to upload the FTL and buffer zone boundaries with geo-coordinates on the HMDA/HMWSSB website to restore Himayat Sagar’s original area and holding capacity. She further asked that past officials, encroachers, and then minister be held accountable for these violations.