Breathe easy, Vengal Rao Park won't raise a stink

BANJARA HILLS: Park-goers and morning walkers of Jalagam Vengal Rao Park, located on Road No 1, Banjara Hills, can soon expect relief from stink as civic officials will divert sewer lines polluting a water body on its premises.
The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB), which has taken up the responsibility of diversion of sewer lines from nearby basthis (localities), has submitted a detailed report, including designs and estimates for ridding the park of pollution and stink, to the municipal administration and urban development (MA&UD) department for approval.
The pollution and stink issue came to light after morning walkers of surrounding areas complained to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and municipal administration minister K T Rama Rao about the inconvenience to them during morning hours. The minister also inspected the park subsequently and direc ted the water board to take over the diversion work on a war footing.
“We have prepared a design and pegged the estimates at Rs 23 crore for taking up the work. The park, which is spread over nearly 10 acres, has lush lawns and a small pond.The water body has been polluted due to sewer inflows from nearby areas,“ HMWS&SB managing director M Dana Kishore told TOI.
“During a recent inspection, we identified the source of pollution and the sewer lines.According to our plan, we have to lay at least 20 km-length of pipeline network to divert sewer water. In the meanwhile, we have treated the pond by spending `1.50 lakh to rid it of the stink. Our efforts are yielding good results,“ he added.
“We are awaiting the MA&UD department's reply for sanctioning money to take up the project. In case they do not approve it, the water board will spend its own money,“ the official added.