Special Commissioner to oversee protection of lakes in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: The Government of Telangana announced its decision to appoint a special commissioner under the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation for the rejuvenation, protection, and preservation of water bodies in the city.

KT Rama Rao, Minister of Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD), Government of Telangana, said that the entire onus of rejuvenating and developing the 185 lakes and other water bodies in the city of Greater Hyderabad would rest on the new officer. He added that a series of works pertaining to beautification, development, and protection of lakes in the city have been taken up by the state government. They are expecting these works to pick up pace with the appointment of the Special Commissioner.

In the announcement made on Monday, September 13, it was also mentioned that the Special Commissioner will also coordinate with the MA&UD, Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Revenue Department, and the State Pollution Control Board, to execute development works. The responsibilities of the Special Commissioners will majorly include Sewage Management, installation of new sewage treatment plants (STPs), diverting the treated water, marking full tank level (FTL) of lakes, protecting water used for agriculture, strengthening of weirs of water bodies, and increasing the green cover around lakes. The existing Lake Protection Committees and Lake Protection Force will also work under the Special Commissioner.