The GHMC will have water hyacinth removed from 26 lakes in the city at a cost of ₹7.65 crore. Tenders will be called for removal of the weed and maintenance of the lakes for three years, a statement from GHMC said on Saturday. The proposal has been approved by the standing committee.
Mosquito menace
Water hyacinth is spread over 495 acres and upto 30 centimetres depth in all those lakes, which, even if removed, sprouts back in a very short time. The weed growth is reducing the water in the lakes, and resulting in Eutrophication process, putting the aquatic life in peril. Further, the weed has become a mosquito breeding ground, the statement said.
The agency winning the bid will have to monitor and control the weed spread for three years, and transport the leaf waste at least 3km away from the location or to the compost centres of IICT.
Lakes in focus
The lakes scheduled for cleaning up include Nacharam Pedda Cheruvu, Nacharam Patel Cheruvu, Erragunta, Lalaguda, Saroornagar Pedda Cheruvu, Ramantapur Cheruvu, Ramantapur Chinna Cheruvu, Hafizpet Kotta Cheruvu, Hafizpet Kaidamma Gunta, Tummadi Kunta in Khanapet, Gopi Cheruvu and Chakalivani Cheruvu in Lingampally, Patel Cheruvu, and Eerla Cheruvu in Madinaguda, Peddakudi Cheruvu in Mahabubpet, Gurunath Cheruvu in Miyapur, Mallaiah Kunta in Chandanagar, Bakshi Kunta, Bachu Kunta, Nalla Cheruvu in Kukatpally, Yellamma Cheruvu, Bheemuni Kunta, Mulla Katwa Cheruvu in Moosapet, Saidaiah Vaani Kunta and Sunnam Cheruvu in Allapur, Ali Talab Cheruvu in Hydernagar, Pariki Cheruvu in Kukatpally, and Kamuni Cheruvu.
GHMC Lakes wing will be responsible for the project.
Cleaning up Musi
Besides, water hyacinth is also being removed from Musi river by a team of 220 workers who are also spraying chemicals to control mosquitoes.
Credit: thehindu.com
