SATYAGRAHA EPISODE 19 | The recent floods in Hyderabad led to the loss of 81 lives and Rs 9000 crores of infrastructural damage. The more one delves into the details, the more one finds that there’s is more to it than meets the eyes. Is it natural, is it due to climate change or is it a consequence of selfish interests of few miscreants?
Thus, HMWSSB, MAUD Ministry, and the government of Telangana have failed to act in good faith. They need to immediately place in public domain the reservoir flood operation schedule, and compliance of guidelines of Dam Safety Panel and Central Water Commission.
We have been urging in numerous of our representations since years to restore lakes and restore the interlinked channels of the lakes to ensure free flow of surplus waters from one lake to another after the lake is filled to its maximum water spread and to its original storage capacity, and drain finally into Moosi Nadi, but in vain.
We appeal for removal of highrises, buildings, constructions in the FTL & buffer zone boundary, prominent of which are identified and placed in our petition. We appeal for restoration of the lake and its hydrology.
Lake at Mehdipatnam trespassed, not restored. Lake turns puddle in spite of heavy rains. Representations not heeded to evict encroachments & desilt for restoration of storage capacity and area of notified lake.
We have been told by senior officials that both reservoirs have been designed to take 2 times more than their catchment capacity. In which case and even otherwise, with the twin reservoirs not at their full storage levels, there should be no need to open the gates.
Our digital online survey of Lakaram lake, Khammam Mandal, Khammam District, Telangana reveals shocking contraction of the lake and its division into two by road laying and multiple encroachments from all sides.
Stop Contempt of Supreme Court Order and High Court Case 25073/2003 dated 25 April 2005: “no further constructions shall be carried out except with leave obtained from this Court, in, on or around the lake”.
Our prayer at the threshold of the halls of justice, High Court at Hyderabad: Evict the road laid inside the 3730 Pedda Cheruvu Khajaguda, under the aegis of MAUD Minister, the government of Telangana;
It is appalling that a health catastrophe such as Covid-19 could not teach officials/elected representatives the importance of conservation of water bodies.
