HYDERABAD: In contrast to its intended purpose, the Katora Houz built in Golconda as a drinking water storage tank during the Qutub Shahi
time now lies in a pitiable state with the neighborhood using it for
draining sewage and dumping waste. That it is a protected water body
does not seem to matter either to residents or officials.
Katora Houz, a 450-year-old tank, was drained and cleaned by water board and municipal authorities in 2007. At that time, sewer connections opening into the pond were diverted. However, four years later, polluted water continues to be drained into it and a good portion of the pond is littered with plastic bags and waste, indicating that locals use it as their dumping yard. And despite the tank located in the protected Golconda fort, locals graze their cattle here during the day. "While the pool is not as bad as it was before being cleaned, the lack of maintenance will only ensure that it is full of sewage from surrounding houses. Apart from becoming a mosquito breeding ground, it has also become a grazing spot as many people bring their cattle in," said a local. He adds that a bigger concern to the locals is the rising water level, which can be fatal for children who venture inside to play. "Early this year, a child had drowned in the pond. Though there is a fence around the pond, the access is easy as there is no security at the entrance."
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) authorities blame locals saying that despite past efforts to stop them from draining sewage, they continue to divert it into the pond. T Sreelakshmi, ASI deputy superintending archaeologist, said, "The Water Board authorities had earlier made efforts to check illegal dumping of sewage in the water, but it proved futile as the locals diverted it once again. We intend to meet GHMC officials soon and request them to implement a permanent solution," she said.
Attributing lack of security to shortage of personnel she added, "Golconda is vast and we lack the required number of hands to take care of security at all places inside it." Assuring that the municipal authorities will be apprised of the situation, she told TOI that efforts will be taken up in coming months to restore some of the past glory of the pond.
Katora Houz, a 450-year-old tank, was drained and cleaned by water board and municipal authorities in 2007. At that time, sewer connections opening into the pond were diverted. However, four years later, polluted water continues to be drained into it and a good portion of the pond is littered with plastic bags and waste, indicating that locals use it as their dumping yard. And despite the tank located in the protected Golconda fort, locals graze their cattle here during the day. "While the pool is not as bad as it was before being cleaned, the lack of maintenance will only ensure that it is full of sewage from surrounding houses. Apart from becoming a mosquito breeding ground, it has also become a grazing spot as many people bring their cattle in," said a local. He adds that a bigger concern to the locals is the rising water level, which can be fatal for children who venture inside to play. "Early this year, a child had drowned in the pond. Though there is a fence around the pond, the access is easy as there is no security at the entrance."
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) authorities blame locals saying that despite past efforts to stop them from draining sewage, they continue to divert it into the pond. T Sreelakshmi, ASI deputy superintending archaeologist, said, "The Water Board authorities had earlier made efforts to check illegal dumping of sewage in the water, but it proved futile as the locals diverted it once again. We intend to meet GHMC officials soon and request them to implement a permanent solution," she said.
Attributing lack of security to shortage of personnel she added, "Golconda is vast and we lack the required number of hands to take care of security at all places inside it." Assuring that the municipal authorities will be apprised of the situation, she told TOI that efforts will be taken up in coming months to restore some of the past glory of the pond.
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