Save Musi delay irks Andhra Pradesh Lokayukta

HYDERABAD: The AP Lokayukta has directed the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board to speed up the the Musi Revitalisation and Abatement of Pollution in Musi River projects.Acting on a petition filed by one M Srinivas, Justice S Ananda Reddy, AP Lokayukta directed the GHMC and HMWS&SB officials to expedite the project works. Srinivas in his complaint had alleged that the Save Musi Campaign was started in 2005 and expected to be completed in two and half years but it has not been finished even after five years and eight months. The petitioner also complained that large-scale corruption and irregularities have taken place in the works and the problem of polluted water aggravated and spread to new areas.Under the campaign, two projects- ‘Abatement of Pollution in Musi River’ was given to the Water Board and the ‘Musi Revitalisation project’ to the GHMC. Both civic bodies have spent already Rs 367 crore and Rs 32 crore respectively already.As part of the Musi Revitalisation project, it was planned to construct rubber dams in the river exactly opposite to High Court and Salarjung Museum with pathways, railing and greenery to be developed along the river to convert it into a tourist spot. A Sewage Treatment Plant was to be constructed at Attapur to treat the polluted water and allow the treated water into rubber dams.“But before construction of the plant, rubber dams were built. Again to prevent drainage water flow into the dams, small earth barriers were built. This has led to polluted water stagnating at various places and leading to various problems including rise of water-borne diseases among local residents,” M Srinivas claimed.He added, “We have requested the Lokayukta to inquire into corruption and irregularities and take action against those involved including the GHMC commissioner and Water Board managing director and complete the project within a specified period of time.”The project consists of construction of four STPs of 592 MLD capacity, 16 interception and diversion structures on nalas along the Musi and laying of trunk sewer for 34-km length to convey sewage to the proposed treatment plants and disposal of treated effluent. The project was estimated to cost Rs 335 crore.