India: Hussain Sagar Cleanup Progresses Slowly

July 3, 2012

The Hussain Sagar lake cleaning and catchment area improvement project began four years ago, but so far only 60% work has been completed, The Times of India reports.

Though the state government fixed a fresh deadline (March 2013) to complete the project, the authority is likely to miss this deadline too as some major works, including dredging.

According to The Times of India, even if dredging and disposal of sediments begin now, it would take at least a year for completing the work.

The main objectives of the project are to clean the water, prevent pollutants from entering the lake and maintain round-the-year water balance in it. The project also includes removal of sediments from lakebed, interception and diversion of flows, improvement of nalas, maintain overall lake environment and its surroundings.

When contacted, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA )executive engineer (HCIP) BLN Reddy said dredging, which is the main component of the project, would begin next month as tender process has been completed.

“Dredging work will be taken up at a cost of Rs 40 crore and the agency has been finalized. The contractor has to complete the work within 12 months,” he added.

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Dredging Today Staff, July 3, 2012