HYDRAA inspects Tauthanikunta and Bhagirathamma Lake at ORR for encroachments, sealed flood canals

Hyderabad: HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath has directed the officials to submit a comprehensive report after a thorough review with the Revenue, Irrigation, GHMC and HMDA officials on the encroachments in Tauthanikunta and Bhagirathamma Lake along with damping and sealing of drains to prevent flood water from entering the lakes.

Rangnath on Monday inspected Tauthanikunta and Bhagirathamma lakes near Nanakramguda and Neknampur in Narsingh near Nehru ORR after receiving complaints from the public and people’s representatives. Locals have complained that the lakes are silted up and construction is being carried out without even bothering about the flood canals.

During his visit, locals also complained to Ranganath that the rainwater was draining roads in the vacant land of Maulana Azad National Urdu University due to these roads getting blocked and flood water entering their apartments. The Tauthanikunta lake is above the Nanakramguda main road and locals said that the canal link to the Bhagirathamma lake on the lower side has been severed.

After going through the encroachments on the lakes, the HYDRAA commissioner ordered the officials concerned to remove structures and shops encroaching on the floodwater canals on both sides of Nanakramguda. Locals have appealed that if the flood water from the university’s empty space goes directly to Tauthanikunta and then to Bhagirathamma Lake, this problem would be resolved.

A few locals also met Ranganath and informed him that their lands were adjacent to the lakes. In return, the commissioner asked them to submit complete details to the agency and a decision would be taken only after thoroughly examining the records. In addition to the rural maps, the officials have been directed to conduct a full-scale inspection of the maps of the National Remote Sensing Agency, Survey of India and Telangana divisions and submit a report within a week.

Later, the HYDRAA commissioner also inspected the catchment area of the Musi River near Narsingh. Some construction companies have been ordered to close down and remove the mud dumped into the river. Ranganath also warned that action would be taken against the respective organizations if soil enters the buffer zone.