Durgam Cheruvu, the lake which is in the heart of Cyberabad is stinking with neglect and encroachments. Before the year 2000, the lake covered 160 acres and now about 35 acres of the lake have encroached. Several structures – residential houses, Offices etc came up encroaching the lake. Some of the colonies encroached the land will get inundated when there are heavy rains and floods.
And then these colonies are housing several biggies including few film personalities. An Assembly Estimates Committee identified the encroachments last year and submitted the report to the state government. But then the government is being very cautious about touching the properties since it will irk several high profile people in the city.
Also, demolition drive in the Cyberabad will garner national level attention and if not handled properly will send wrong signals to the investors which may hamper the image of the city. But then there are allegations that the state government is only targeting the poor and middle class while letting go the big sharks.
So, the state government is confused about how to deal with this issue. Durgam Cheruvu was built between 1518-1687 by the Qutbshahi kings over 160.6 acres. The lake used to supply drinking water to Golconda fort and nearby localities. As the lake was nestled between Jubilee Hills and Madhapur, it was called Secret Lake. Recently, the lake and its bed is totally left untouched as the entire lake got filled with filth.
