Hyderabad: Once a vital source of potable water for residents of Neredmet and New Vidya Nagar in Secunderabad, RK Puram lake has deteriorated into a garbage-filled water body plagued by foul odour, stagnant water and mosquito breeding. Residents say the prolonged delay in restoring the lake has not only destroyed the water body but also affected public health and depleted groundwater levels in the surrounding neighbourhoods, which are home to nearly 40,000 people.Residents allege that animal carcasses are occasionally dumped into the lake, while the unchecked growth of the parthenium weed—known to trigger dermatitis and asthma—has become a serious concern.
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Despite the health risks and persistent stench, children continue to play near the lake, and residents are forced to use the adjoining pathway.“The lake has remained under a restoration programme for nearly seven years. It was emptied during the initial phase of restoration, but since then the project has been largely abandoned,” said Sai Kiran, 36, a resident of RK Puram.Residents claim that apart from fencing, walkways and a partially completed retaining wall, little progress has been made. They added that the proposed rainwater inlet system remains incomplete and no desilting has been carried out.According to BT Srinivasan, general secretary of the United Federation of Resident Welfare Associations (U-FERWAS), the restoration project was initially under the irrigation department before being transferred to the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA). Launched under Mission Kakatiya in 2019 with a sanctioned budget of nearly ₹11 crore, the project has seen little progress towards reviving the lake.Shridhar Sarma, 84, who has been campaigning for the lake’s restoration for over a decade, said groundwater levels have declined sharply since the lake was emptied.“Before the restoration work began, groundwater was generally available between 20 and 100 feet. Today, many residents have been forced to drill deeper borewells or re-bore existing ones,” he said.Sarma added that RK Puram lake receives rainwater from the Secunderabad Cantonment catchment area and neighbouring colonies. However, at present, only sewage flows into the lake through its main inlet.Several residents also alleged that the restoration project became a political turf war, leaving civic concerns unaddressed.Meanwhile, Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation deputy commissioner Balakrishna Prasad said restoration work is expected to pick up in the first week of Aug.“At present, works at Safilguda and Banda Cheruvu lakes are underway. RK Puram lake will be taken up soon. The work had slowed down in recent years,” he said.
“Back when the lake was healthy, this area had enough water for everyone. We never depended on municipal supply. I still remember those days when my grandfather was still around.” _ Sai Kiran, 36, a resident of RK Puram.
“I’ve been fighting for this lake’s restoration for years. This is not just a civic issue, it’s an environmental one, and the government must take direct cognisance because the damage extends beyond residents.”_ Shridhar Sarma, 84,
