Hyderabad rains: RK Puram lake froths again as dumping of animal waste continues

The recent rains in Hyderabad have resulted in the RK Puram lake frothing yet again, as foam continues to build up with the water flowing faster.

Unfinished construction work of a storm water drain next to the road at Devi Nagar has only made things worse, as foam began spilling on to the streets for a short period on Sunday. 

The frothing at the RK Puram lake was first reported in June, following which officials from the Pollution Control Board (PCB) visited the lake and collected water samples.

Preliminary tests showed that the lake may have frothed due to sewage water and the alleged dumping of animal waste.

There are several piggery units and pork shops in RK Puram, where the waste after animal slaughter is allegedly dumped in the water body.

Despite hefty fines and closure notices by officials of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) who visited the spot, the waste dumping continues, according to locals.

"The slaughtering occurs every morning and all the waste is dumped into the lake itself. Just reducing the froth is not enough, but a permanent solution has to be found," a source told TNM.

The source, who has constantly reported violations in the area to the GHMC, has even received threats, and claims to have been manhandled by the owners of the piggery units.

"We can only conduct raids and take action if we have proof. Even then, the law is tricky," a veterinary officer from the GHMC's Health Wing said.

There are no certified slaughterhouses for pork in Hyderabad, but the GHMC grants licences to outlets if certain norms and rules with respect to hygiene are followed.

An official from GHMC corporator (Neredmet) Katikaneni Sreedevi's office, said, "We have represented the issue multiple times to all higher authorities, from our local MLA to Minister for Urban Development KT Rama Rao. We have submitted detailed reports, but funds are not being allotted."

The official further added, "We were assured that restoration of the lake would be taken on a larger scale in the future, and funds for short-term problems were sanctioned. However, the long-term solution is nowhere in sight, and the lake continues to froth."  

"We have even given them possible solutions along with estimates, but we have hit a roadblock," the official said.