The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) is expanding its conservation efforts for the Hussain Sagar by installing a floating boom barrier on the Picket Nala to avoid floating waste from flowing into the lake.

Hussain Sagar to Get Floating Boom Barrier

The HMDA, WRI India and DESMI have signed a tripartite agreement for the installation of a barrier for the purifying floating solid waste from Picket Drain near Hussain Sagar (KIMS pond area) as a pilot demonstration project.

The objective is to avoid floating waste from entering the lake. On and under the water surface, the boom barrier will also partially float. In order to avoid floating material, the boom barrier will then be mounted, and the collected waste then poured into dumper containers by an automated conveyor belt. The work is done every 2 to 3 days to remove the accumulated waste.

DESMI, a Denmark based company, has extensive expertise in the field of marine cleaning and has already undertaken a couple of projects throughout the world. DESMI will mount the boom barrier for free as part of the agreement and pilot demonstration. The project will take nine months, and the State Government will make a decision based on the results of the project. The site confirmation and the boom barriers would set up in around six weeks.

In addition to beautification and ensuring safe water flow to Sagar Hussain, the HMDA has had numerous exercises, including nullifying wastewater. The Banjara Nala, Picket Nala, Balkapur Nala and Kukatpally Nala, are Hussain Sagar's four main channels of entry.

They were dividing the whole 14 km of shoreline in six sectors to increase the level of cleaning and control, tracking and accounting for floating material and shoreline washing. Normally, floating waste collectors remove the floated waste in the lake.

Currently, there are double treatments of inflows into the Hussain Sagar. Both wastewater and effluent coming by four Nalas are stopped by I&D Structures and diverted via major sewage lines by I&D (interception and diversion structures). Seven I&Ds are built on the Nalas in different locations, and Sewerage treatment plants are the second type.

By: Shailaja K