This story is from June 24, 2019

Hyderabad: Mud, debris leave Kamuni cheruvu parched

Lorries full of mud and debris keep coming to the Kamuni Cheruvu where construction rubble is being dumped for the past one year. Most locals living near the lake in Khaitalapur, in Kukatpally, are too scared to speak having been threatened on several occasions.
Hyderabad: Mud, debris leave Kamuni cheruvu parched
In spite of the official move, the dumping of debris and mud has been relentless.
HYDERABAD: Lorries full of mud and debris keep coming to the Kamuni Cheruvu where construction rubble is being dumped for the past one year. Most locals living near the lake in Khaitalapur, in Kukatpally, are too scared to speak having been threatened on several occasions.
“At least 20 to 30 lorries come to the dump mud in the lake every day. The lake would extend almost up till the road, but now hardly any water is left in it,” said Balaraju, a local, looking around furtively, hoping he isn’t spotted by the local powers that be.
Mud, debris leave Kamuni cheruvu parched

Rukmini Bai, who runs a shop in the vicinity, said residents have stopped keeping a track of who comes and goes.
“The land is being filled for a year now. Lorries come in at all odd hours, especially at night.”
Almost 10 locals who were asked to comment on the issue refused to speak. Others who did, spoke in hushed tones and said they must not be spotted in the area. Residents say the mud is being brought to fill up the lake so that construction activity can go on. They say powerful groups have staked claim to the lake land and are using locals to threaten even officials who want to stop encroachment.
Sources said that one Khailla, along with at least 40 local supporters, has been threatening officials. In fact, heavy police protection had to be sought to carry out a demolition drive two weeks ago of encroached land near the full tank level (FTL) of the lake. In spite of the official move, the dumping of debris and mud has been relentless.

Nirmala Nayak Wadi, MRO, Kukatpally mandal, did not confirm that they had received any threats during demolition drives. However, she said, “We have been clearing the debris from the land continuously. We will file a complaint with the pollution department soon.” She also said that there were no funds to protect the lake. “We have no money to even erect a fence. When we have to remove encroachments, we rent out a JCB machine to do the work.” Another official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, “Those in the construction business this side of town are big players with lot of influence.”
Irrigation department officials, on their part, said all steps are being taken to improve the lake. Khursheed Moinuddin, executive engineer in-charge of Hyderabad lakes, irrigation department, said, “An estimate has been sent for fencing, but it has not been sanctioned yet. Once we get the funds, we will mend the damaged portions.”
When it was pointed out that there is hardly any water in the lake, he said encroachers were being dealt with. “There appears to be less water in the lake because of the hyacinth. Every time we remove it, because of the sewage flowing into the lake the hyacinth grows back. Hyacinth does not proliferate in clean water.” He added that some companies were looking to adopt the lake under their CSR initiative.
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