Woes pile up near dumping yard - Times of India

The GHMC has been dumping about 3,800 metric tonnes (MTs) of garbage daily in the 750-acre dump yard located about 35 kms from the city for the past few years.

Many villages like Haridaspally, Dammaiguda, Nagaram, which are located close to Jawaharnagar dump yard, have been facing ground water pollution due to continuous dumping over the years.

A few months ago, residents of Cheryala village in Keesara mandal had complained to Lokayukta that the lake in their village `Pedda Chervu' was getting polluted due to the leachate of Jawaharnagar.

Officials said Pedda Chervu is located in the downstream of Malkapur tank, which is close to Jawaharnagar. As leachate of Jawaharnagar was polluting Malkapur tank, water flowing into Pedda Chervu is also getting polluted.

After people complained of water pollution, the GHMC officials, a couple of months ago, had stopped inflows into Pedda Chervu by forming an earthen bund below the Jawaharnagar dump yard to ensure that the leachate does not enter the Malkapur tank.

Since the Pedda Chervu water had already got polluted, the Lokayukta has directed the GHMC to drain out water from the lake. Now, this has become a herculean task for the corporation officials as the tank is under the control of the minor irrigation department. GHMC officials approached the irrigation officials, who in turn sought instructions from the Ranga Reddy district collector.

The district collector did not give permission reportedly due to resentment from other villagers of Rampally, Kundapally and Godumpally, who are down streams of Pedda Chervu. The villagers expressed fear that the drained out lake water from Pedda Chervu might enter their lakes and tanks.

The water pollution in and around Jawaharnagar triggered huge protests three years ago. Villagers of Haridaspally and other villages had staged a dharna and even stopped garbage vehicles proceeding to Jawaharnagar as the dumping yard was not only causing ground water pollution but also roads were getting damaged due to heavy traffic. The GHMC assured them of laying roads, drinking water supply and street lights and other facilities.

While the roads and other facilities were provided, the GHMC recently paid about Rs 2.45 crore to the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board to supply piped water to the villages of Dammaiguda, Nagaram, Haridaspally, Ahmedguda and Cheriyal apart from Jawaharnagar.

When contacted, GHMC executive engineer D Sudhakar said they have inspected the area on the directions of the Lokayukta and were taking necessary steps for preventing water pollution.

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