Stop Diversion of Kukatpally Nala into Musi River

Inflows of Kukatpally Nala Toxic

The G.O. 60 was issued by Telangana State Govt. for diversion of dry whether inflows of Kukatpally Nala to the downstream of Hussain Sagar Lake to prevent pollution to Lake from Kukutapally Nala. The dry weather inflows are reported to contain toxic heavy metals such as Cadmium, Chrome etc from untreated / under treated effluents being discharged by industrial units engaged in Galvanizing, Electroplating, Leather Tanning etc apart from Domestic Sewage. The other likely sources of chemical contaminants finding their way into Kukatpally Nala are from Hospitals, Clinical Laboratories, Chemical/Diagnostic Laboratories, etc. which invariably discharge / drain their untreated chemical residues into Drains & Sewers discharging into Nala.

Shifting Problem from Hussain Sagar to Musi River 
  
As the toxic effluents & untreated sewage from K- Nala to be diverted to the down stream of Hussain Sagar will ultimately find their way into Musi River, it is nothing but diluting Pollution and shifting the problem to Musi River. Diluting Pollution and Shifting it to elsewhere is no Solution to Pollution. 

 Musi Basin already Contaminated 

The toxic effluents from PETL, JETL and other sources being discharged for more than 3 decades, are getting diluted with sewage/water In CETPs / STPs / Drains, before finding their way into Musi River. But the total pollution load being discharged into Musi Basin does not come down. That means the toxic effluents continue to flow into Musi River and get accumulated in Musi Basin adversely affecting the soil, crops, ground water, livestock and endangering the lives of the people in and around, through the Food Cycle. 

EPTRI Report 

The State of Environment Report for Hyderabad published by EPTRI in 1996, estimated that about 350 MT of Total Dissolved Solids(TDS) load is being pumped into Musi River every day, along with untreated & under treated industrial effluents let out into Musi River. The other point is the residues of toxic Heavy Metals and POPs, which are not being tracked, are finding their way along with the effluents/sewage. The report also highlighted the toxicity present in the Grass, Vegetables, Milk etc. from Musi Basin 

CAG Report 

The CAG Report, which reviewed the activities relating to the control of water pollution during 1994-2000, was placed before the State Assembly on 31-3-2001. The report stated that ground water in areas along Musi River contained high levels of pollution and endangered public health. The water samples collected from down Stream of Musi River, are reported to have shown high levels of toxic heavy metals like, Lead, Chromium, Mercury and Arsenic in ground as well as surface waters. This is borne out by the fact of large scale fish-kills reported from time to time in the area. 

IPM Study 

The IPM Study regarding toxic and inorganic loads in Musi sediment is reported to have highlighted the levels of Mercury, Antimony, Arsenic, Lead etc in excess of permissible levels in the blood samples. The levels of Chromium, Cadmium, Lead, Arsenic etc in ground water are also reported to be high. 


Statutory Responsibilities of Govt. 

Taking into account the gravity of situation that already exists in Musi Basin, the Statutory Authorities and the Government cannot dis-associate themselves from discharging the duty in accordance with the provisions of The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. to see that pollution loads do not increase any further, leave alone reducing the existing pollution loads.

The protection and improvement of Human Environment is a major issue, which effects the well being of people and economic development. According to Article 48-A of The Constitution of India, the State shall endeavour to protect and improve the Environment. The Andhra Pradesh High Court has held that Article 48 A of the Constitution imposes an obligation on the Govt, including Courts to protect Environment(T. Cardamom Rao v The Special Officer MCH, AIR 1987 AP 171 ).

Article 51 A (g) of the Constitution imposes as one of the fundamental duties on every citizen, the duty to protect and improve the Natural Environment, including Forests, Lakes, Rivers and Wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures. 

 Appeal 

In the light of the position explained above and the W.P19661 of 2002 in A P High Court, which is now before National Green Tribunal ( South Zone) as Application no.90 of 2013, Telangana State Govt be urged to drop the proposal for diversion of untreated/under-treated effluents from Kukatpally Nala or any other source into Musi River, in the larger public interest.