Gopi Cheruvu is now on the verge of extinction owing to rapid encroachments

Gopi Cheruvu, the city’s iconic water body, identified as such by Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), is now on the verge of extinction owing to rapid encroachments by private entities. However, the encroachers claim water in the patta lands and on portions of the gairon as well as kharij khata land is being referred to as Gopi Cheruvu.

Some observers have blamed this state of affairs on a supposed nexus between GHMC, the erstwhile Hyderabad Urban Development Authority, revenue department officials, and realtors.Officials from all concerned departments refused to speak on the issue, saying it is sub judice. The encroachers claim that the same water stagnation point has been creating a major inconvenience to commuters travelling from Lingampally to Biodiversity Junction for almost a decade. And despite assurances, authorities have not been restoring or constructing sewerage treatment plants.

Conservation experts say if ignored further, Gopi Cheruvu has the potential to create a Chennai flood like situation in the city’s IT corridors, where a majority of residents will need to shift if it rains continuously for 24 hours. They add that the encroachment in October last year has blocked the natural flow of water and was the reason for major stagnation, with traffic at Biodiversity Junction diverted for more than 48 hours.Retired scientist and water conservation expert B.V. Subba Rao said the government has failed to present actual facts to the court, and more than 300 water bodies in the city have disappeared owing to official apathy. He added that violating norms, encroachers have been constructing several structures at the full tank levels of the lake, deliberately allowing sewage water from adjoining colonies to kill the lake.

As a result, he said owing to the continuous flow of sewer water and rains, Doyen Colony and adjoining areas leading to the IT corridors have been submerging even after moderate rainfall. “Though the issue was brought to the notice of the GHMC, HMDA and revenue department, they have failed to solve it. If not resolved soon, the entire IT corridor will be submerged as there are 13 lakes connecting to Gopi Cheruvu,” he added.

Save Our Urban Lakes (SOUL) convenor Lubna Sarwath said private individuals cannot claim the right to public property though they may have a patta. She said according to the Irrigation Act 1351 and Revenue act 1371, the ownership of the land belongs to the government. "How can a private person construct a gate on the water board and claim he owns the property? What are government agencies doing when they claim to have sophisticated technology to identify and restore water bodies?"

GHMC officials claimed they are unaware of the issue as the official concerned retired on April 30, while HMDA, revenue and Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) officials passed the buck to GHMC.