KBR Park Walkers Flag Blocked Rainwater Drain and Sewage Pollution at Lake

Following recent rainfall, environmentalists and regular walkers at the Kasu Brahmananda Reddy (KBR) National Park in Hyderabad have flagged severe sewage pollution and poor water quality at the park's lake. They alleged that a stormwater drain designed to channel clean rainwater into the waterbody has been deliberately blocked, even as sewage continues to flow in from surrounding localities.

The issue came to light when an environmentalist and park walkers noticed a large stone placed at the mouth of an inlet pipe. This pipe connects the walking track to the lake and is designed to carry clean rainwater during the monsoon. Walkers argued that the stone could not have washed into that position naturally and appeared to have been placed there intentionally.

The Vata Foundation highlighted the issue on social media, pointing out that while the park is already facing pressure from concrete infrastructure like flyovers and underpasses outside, the lake inside also needs immediate attention. The organization questioned why stormwater was being blocked while sewage was allowed to enter.

According to local walkers, other drains entering the lake from the Film Nagar side have been carrying sewage for a long time. They alleged that sewage from residential and commercial areas enters stormwater drains connected to the park before flowing into the lake and downstream towards Lotus Pond.

To address the pollution, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) previously installed a drainage segregation pump near the Taj Mahal Hotel in Film Nagar. However, regular walker S Srinivas said the temporary sump-and-pump arrangement has made little difference and failed to prevent polluted water from entering the lake.

The ecological health of the lake remains under severe stress. Data from the Telangana Pollution Control Board shows that the lake's dissolved oxygen level averages around 4 mg/l, well below the required 10 mg/l. Additionally, a section of the retaining wall adjoining the lake has collapsed and remains unrepaired, with some suspecting recent underground optical fibre cable works may have weakened it.

An HMWSSB official stated that the department will examine the issue and ensure that clean rainwater is allowed to enter the lake during the monsoon.