Illegal water trade resumes at Sunnam Cheruvu
HYDERABAD: Illegal water trade has resumed at Sunnam Cheruvu in Madhapur, barely three months after authorities cracked down on it.
Hydra, which is developing the lake, collected water samples on June 30 with the help of the Pollution Control Board. Tests confirmed the presence of toxic chemicals and advised against using the water, warning of risks of cancer, heart, kidney and liver diseases.
Dozens of borewells and tankers were seized then, and police booked cases related to illegal water trade. However, the activity has resumed in full swing.
Polluted water diverted into tankers
Within days of borewells being removed, operators installed new ones and began selling water again. Tankers are being filled through pipelines connected under the culvert where sewage flows, before being sold to hostels, hotels and apartments. Each tanker fetches between ₹1,500 and ₹2,000.
Locals said the business openly violates the Water, Land and Trees Act (WALTA), but revenue officials have failed to intervene. Even as Hydra staff supervise lake development work daily, they have ignored the parallel water trade.
Locals demand power cut to borewells
Residents questioned how electricity connections were sanctioned to borewells dug on government land near the lake. They argued that cutting power would curb the illegal trade. They urged authorities to act immediately and take strict measures against those running the water business.
