Durgam Cheruvu’s sewage problem plumbing new depths, rue Hyderabad walkers

Hyderabad: The formation of an expert committee by the Telangana high court two years ago to tackle sewage contamination in Durgam Cheruvu seems to have had little impact, with untreated sewage water continuing to flow into the lake resulting in a strong stench that is troubling both morning walkers and residents alike.Two years ago, the high court in a suo motu intervention had directed the GHMC and HMDA to address the root cause of the problem — flowing of untreated sewage water into the lake. Environmentalists and locals say little has changed on the ground, with sewage inflow continuing and earlier assurances yielding limited results.Despite recommendations submitted by NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute) in 2023, untreated sewage continues to flow into the lake, raising serious environmental and public health concerns shared by regular walkers and residents around the area. "As much as one-third of the lake is covered in hyacinth. I have been submitting repeated representations to the irrigation department and HYDRAA, but there has been no effective response yet apart from deploying a machine to clear the hyacinth, which doesn't seem to be helping. The root cause of the problem remains unaddressed," said Rachana Gupta, who lives close to the lake.The NEERI report, which studied 12 locations around the lake, flagged alarming levels of pollutants, including heavy metals, industrial waste, and untreated sewage. Fish deaths, mosquito breeding, and a foul stench prompted public outcry. Yet, little has changed on the ground, according to locals. "Even with our windows closed, the stench seeps in. I have stopped going on morning walks around the lake. It feels like no one has followed up on the high court order," said Pooja V, a homemaker who used to be a regular at the park.The lake has two sewage treatment plants (STPs) with a total capacity of 12 MLD (million litres per day). Officials admited that nearly 20 MLD of sewage enters from surrounding areas like Madhapur. The excess is allowed to flow through a channel into Malkam Cheruvu, then to Neknampur lake, and finally into the Musi, officials said, adding that the existing STPs are unable to cater to the daily volume of sewage water. There are no dedicated stormwater or sewage pipelines near the lake either.In fact, a 2024 study by TOI in collaboration with BITS Pilani, Hyderabad, reaffirmed the deteriorating water quality. "The dissolved oxygen levels on both sides of the lake were around 3.3 mg/l, far below the UNEP's recommended 10 mg/l. A detailed, ongoing water monitoring programme is essential," the report read.Another independent study titled ‘Organic Micropollutants in Durgam Cheruvu Lake' revealed the presence of 183 chemical compounds, including pharmaceuticals, herbicides, hormones, steroids, UV filters, and plasticizers. Pharmaceuticals comprised 50% of the pollutants.The lake receives inflow from two major points — Nectar Garden and Silent Valley — and multiple smaller inlets from homes, restaurants, and businesses. GHMC officials say 11 inlets feed into the lake, three for sewage and eight for stormwater, but due to poor infrastructure, the two often mix, especially during rains. "This isn't just mismanagement, it's environmental negligence. STPs are not working. There is a manhole right on the track, which sometimes overflows onto the track, making its way to the lake," said Sanjeev Raj, a walker at the park.HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath said that the presence of hyacinth indicates that sewage inlets are still open. "We need to carry out a detailed mapping of the area to understand where the sewage is coming from. We have also received complaints of encroachments. We will look into it," he said.