Hyderabad: Fox Sagar Lake, also known as Kotta Cheruvu, was originally built in 1897 by Asaf Jah VI to provide water to the northern part of the city. However, the lake has become one of the most polluted and encroached-upon water bodies in the area. Data shows that over 1,014 illegal structures have been identified within the lake’s Full Tank Level (FTL) due to encroachment.
This lake, located in Kompally, is the fifth largest in the area, covering approximately 2 km. Initially, it spread over nearly 490 acres, but over time it has shrunk to just 120 acres. According to data from the Green Tribunal released in 2021, around 1,014 illegal structures were identified within the FTL and buffer zone of the lake. The number of illegal structures has increased significantly since then.
Fox Sagar Lake was constructed before the major lakes Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar in the Musi River basin. A pump house was also built on its shore, connected to the lake by an iron bridge. However, the bridge has rusted over time, and no significant efforts have been made to restore the pump house.
Locals point out that the rapid industrial growth in and around Dulapally and Kompally has led to the illegal occupation of several parts of the FTL and buffer zone of the lake. Additionally, the lake has become heavily polluted due to the dumping of industrial waste. Research conducted between 2019 and 2020 involved collecting water samples to assess the lake’s condition. The studies found that the lake is highly polluted and eutrophic, based on both physicochemical and biological parameters.
Despite numerous appeals and petitions, the measures taken by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) two years ago—such as strengthening the lake’s bund, installing fencing, and undertaking landscaping—have proved inadequate. The lake has once again fallen into the hands of encroachers and is now overgrown with weeds.
Local residents, like Suresh, recall that water from the lake was once used for drinking and irrigation, but now it is highly polluted. Despite restoration efforts by GHMC officials, including the construction of a sewage treatment plant, these measures have not been effective. Suresh fears that the lake may soon shrink further and become a small pond.
Mohammed Ali, another resident, recalls the severe waterlogging that devastated Uma Maheswara Colony in 2020 and 2021. He attributes the damage to the massive illegal encroachments in the FTL and buffer zone of the lake, which have blocked its inlets. As a result, every heavy downpour causes significant hardship for locals. Mohammed Ali urges the State government to take strong action against encroachers to prevent further devastation.
