Hyderabad: The city’s essential drinking water sources, Himayatsagar and Osmansagar reservoirs, are facing a renewed threat from illegal encroachments. Despite ongoing efforts to protect these vital water bodies, encroachment activities continue to persist, posing risks to both the environment and the city’s water security.
In response to this concern, authorities registered two FIRs on Jan 8 against individuals accused of dumping debris and mud into the full tank level areas of Himayatsagar. This marks the latest in a series of actions taken by authorities following similar incidents in Dec 2024.
The FIRs were filed by officials of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) and the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency (HYDRAA), which have been actively working to curb illegal activities near the reservoirs.
According to the complaint lodged by deputy general manager (engineering) P Govind Goud, encroachments were found at survey numbers 52 and 53 near Himayatsagar. The accused, Syed Shabuddin, a local landowner, along with the drivers of five vehicles, is alleged to have dumped mud into the FTL area, obstructing the natural water flow and threatening to contaminate the city’s drinking water supply. The vehicles involved were also identified in the complaint.
In a coordinated effort to combat this illegal activity, HYDRAA officials, led by Ch Srinivas, conducted a night patrol on Jan 8. During the operation, several vehicles were caught in the act of dumping debris, and photographic evidence was collected. This evidence was subsequently submitted to the RGIA police, leading to the registration of a case under various sections of the BNS.
In another FIR filed the same day, Srinivas reported the interception of a lorry attempting to unload construction debris into the reservoir. The driver and vehicle were detained, and a case was registered against them.
These latest actions come after three separate FIRs were filed in Dec, when illegal dumping in the Himayatsagar reservoir was discovered near land owned by Shekar Yadav and Srisailam.
Heavy vehicles were reportedly used to dump mud and stones.
