Phoenix encroaches upon two tanks, one nala

Eminent environmentalist Lubna Sarwat alleges at the press conference
Structures constructed on tanks and nalas at Puppalguda
Many wonder as to how TSIIC permitted it?

Does it make sense to fill tanks and lakes with soil and destroy them completely to build apartments and multi-storied buildings? Since last few decades, the roads of the city are getting waterlogged due to the increasing encroachment of tanks and nalas. This is also choking the drainage system and the nalas are overflowing. Environmentalists warn that if the tanks and storm water drains are blocked, the groundwater levels will deplete and Hyderabad metropolitan will suffer from water shortage before turning into a ghost city in the future.

In a recent press conference, Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WICCI) water resources president Lubna Sarwat alleged that Phoenix Estates, a construction company, has completely destroyed the Mansanikunta and Mekasanikunta tanks to take up construction work in survey numbers 285 and 286 of Puppalguda of Rangareddy district as well as constructed cellar parking on Bulkapur nala. She reminded that in fact, till 2019, there were tanks and a Kattamaisamma temple in the locality.

She said that in 2019, when TSIIC engineering department officials went and conducted a survey themselves, disturbing things came to light. The engineering officials have reported that there is a 6.35 meter wide inflow channel, which has been diverted towards the main road. “But today, no one knows where the channel is and where all those roads vanished. In the past, all the water in the Mansanikunta tank used to go into the Balkapur nala which are now encroached upon for construction work. The Mekasanikunta tank is also being encroached,” she added. She reminded that all the water in these tanks will join the Musi river through the Nalla Cheruvu tank. As these tanks were being encroached, she expressed concern that the entire city of Hyderabad would be submerged if it rained. She demanded that all these tanks in Hyderabad city should be restored. It should be noted that the Bulkapur Canal flows from Janwada to Hussain Sagar, and is one the oldest canals which contributes to the rise of groundwater by providing water to every pond en route.

How could TSIIC allow constructions?

Lubna Sarwat questioned the TSIIC on what basis permission was granted to the Phoenix company to construct high rise on the Mansanikunta, Mekasanikunta and Bulkapur canals. She recalled that when she complained about the encroachment in September 2019, the TSIIC officials themselves took her and other complainants to the site and opened the inflow and outflow channels using JCBs (earthmovers). Though they were requested to restore the entire canal and connect it to Balkapur nala, no such action was initiated. By January 7, 2020, the canal was closed again and a huge structure was built encroaching it. Though the TSIIC officials were informed about it, there has been no action prompting Lubna Sarwat and others to approach the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in February 2020.

The environmental activist demanded to know on what basis the local bodies issued permissions to the developers, when cases were pending in the courts on the issue. “It is a terrible thing to block the natural flow of water by closing the tanks and nalas. What is the point of supplying water from 100-200 km distance by ignoring the naturally available water resources?” she asked. She warned that if this continues, there is a danger that the underground water will deplete and the city of Hyderabad will become a ghost city in the coming days. She said that the Phoenix boards have been now replaced with those of another company in the recent times, but the construction was on.

Destruction of nature?

Hyderabad’s tanks and canals are disappearing one after the other. By filling them and encroaching upon them illegally, some developers were carrying out constructions. Hence, even if there is a little rain, all the arterial roads are turning into rivulets and water is flooding the residential colonies. As a result, there is a risk of loss of life as well as loss of property. Spread over seven districts, Hyderabad once had 30,000 water bodies. But there are only 185 under GHMC at present. And no body has the right to destroy nature for their personal gains.