Telangana HC Issues Directive to Salvage Durgam Cheruvu from Looming Pollution Crisis

In a decisive move to safeguard the ecological integrity of Durgam Cheruvu, a pivotal lake nestled between Jubilee Hills and Madhapur in Hyderabad, the Telangana High Court has intervened, directing urgent action to avert a looming pollution catastrophe.

A distinguished division bench, spearheaded by Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti, displayed proactive judicial stewardship on Wednesday by suo motu taking cognisance of a concerning news report. The court, responding to the alarming findings, promptly directed relevant authorities to implement the recommendations set forth by an expert committee, led by Dr Atul Narayan Vaidya, Director of the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute. The committee’s report, shedding light on the lake’s degradation despite its protected status and the 2020 inauguration of a cable bridge, underscores the pressing issue of pollution, predominantly stemming from untreated sewage. Despite the installation of Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs) by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB), a substantial volume of untreated sewage from the Madhapur area continues to find its way into the lake.

Compounding the problem are stormwater drains near the lake entrance, contributing to elevated levels of contaminants such as Total Coliform and E coli bacteria, as revealed by samples. Encroachments within the Full Tank Level boundary and buffer zone of the lake intensify the crisis, with 78 structures identified within the FTL and 146 structures within the buffer zone.

Despite commendable efforts by both government and private entities to promote Durgam Cheruvu as a tourism hotspot, persistent challenges, including incomplete fencing and legal disputes, have impeded its transformation. The High Court’s directive serves as a pivotal step towards rectifying these issues and ensuring the sustainable preservation of Durgam Cheruvu, reaffirming the judiciary’s commitment to environmental protection and responsible urban development.