Hyderabad citizens raise concerns over foul smell from Hussain Sagar Lake

Hyderabad: Citizens of Hyderabad have expressed growing concerns over the foul smell emanating from the famous Hussain Sagar Lake, located along Tank Bund Road. The unpleasant odor is reportedly affecting the health and well-being of those living in the area and visitors alike. Many are calling on the authorities to take urgent steps to clean up the lake and restore its appeal.

The issue was first highlighted by Naresh (@TopDriverIndia) on the social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), where he posted, “This is the famous Hussain Sagar Lake of Hyderabad, with Tank Bund on one side and the Secretariat on the other. It looks very beautiful, but the water stinks badly. It’s been stinking since the 1970s. Governments have come and gone, and many technological advancements—like India sending a rocket to the moon—have happened, but nobody can clean this damn lake. Why?”

Speaking with the Hyderabad Mail, Naresh Raghavan shared more details about the situation. He recalled that 30 years ago, during the tenure of Chief Minister N. T. Rama Rao, a Swiss company was hired to clean up the lake. The company proposed a cleanup project around the time when the Buddha Purnima statue was being installed. However, after the initial efforts, the lake has not seen any significant cleaning, and the pollution continues to worsen.

Naresh alleged that some industries are discharging effluents into the water, and drainage systems are also contributing to the pollution.

Naresh also voiced frustration about the failure of the authorities to act. “Many people recommend visiting Hyderabad because of the famous places around Tank Bund, but the authorities have not been able to clean up the lake. Despite numerous funding projects, nothing has been done, and visitors are left with only the stink. Every Saturday and Sunday, people visit Tank Bund, only to encounter the foul odor.”

He further highlighted that his son, who recently visited from the U.S., was taken aback by the stench. "He couldn't recognize the place as he had left Hyderabad in his childhood. He immediately remarked, 'Are we close to Tank Bund, just by the smell?’”

Naresh also suggested that while the government is focusing on the Musi River cleanup project, it should also take up the cleanup of Hussain Sagar Lake. He believes that doing so would not only help save the lake but could also contribute to stopping the immersion of idols, which adds to the contamination.

One user shared their experience on TripAdvisor, commenting, “A Walk with Foul Smell – A 2 km walk from end to end along the road with foul-smelling air from the dirty water can make you feel sick.”

This is the famous Hussain Sagar lake of Hyderabad with Tank bund on one side, and the secretariat on the other.
Looks very beautiful, but water stinks badly. Real bad. It’s been stinking since 1970’s.

Governments have come, governments have gone. All kinds of technological… pic.twitter.com/b0sP8nBbWp

— Naresh (@TopDriverIndia) December 8, 2024