Banjara Hills Banjara Lake turns pollution hotspot
HYDERABAD: Banjara Lake in Banjara Hills Road No. 1 has turned into a pollution hotspot, with tonnes of plastic waste and untreated sewage flowing into the 15-acre waterbody.
Despite spending ₹ lakh on beautification works in the past, authorities have failed to prevent sewage from surrounding residential colonies from entering the lake directly. Locals said foul odour and stagnant waste have made the area difficult to access.
Plastic and garbage have accumulated at the gate near Ambedkar Nagar, where measures were put in place to prevent solid waste from entering the lake. However, lack of monitoring has allowed debris to pile up.
Residents alleged that unidentified persons dump construction debris and chemical waste into the lake at night. They also claimed that some textile shop owners on Road No. 11 release chemicals used for dyeing into drains, which eventually flow into the lake.
Walkways damaged, works stalled midway
The walkway built four years ago as part of a lake beautification project has been damaged. Officials and public representatives have failed to restore the site to a usable condition.
Residents said incomplete works have turned the lake area into a hub for anti-social activities. Youths are allegedly consuming narcotics near the lake during the day and night.
Locals demanded that authorities stop sewage inflow and undertake comprehensive restoration of the lake.
HMDA writes to HMWSSB for STP
Mallesham, Executive Engineer of the Hussainsagar Lakes Division, said residents had complained about sewage inflow and waste accumulation.
“We have written to the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority to divert the sewage drains. We have also written to the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board to construct a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). If both measures are implemented, clean water can be maintained in the lake,” he said.
He added that no formal complaint had been received so far regarding chemical dumping. “If it is found to be true, action will be taken. Assistant Engineers monitor the lake regularly. We will focus on Banjara Lake,” he said.
