VIKARABAD: Untreated sewage from Vikarabad town has been flowing into the Musi river for nearly six years after the sewage treatment plant (STP) stopped functioning, affecting farmers who depend on the river water for irrigation.
Ananthagiri Hills in Vikarabad district are the origin of the Musi, which flows through Hyderabad and supplies water to several areas. The river is also an important source of irrigation for farms in several districts.
The STP was established to prevent sewage from entering the river and to provide treated water. However, with its pumps out of order, sewage is being discharged directly into the Musi.
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Plant designed to treat 18 MLD sewage
As part of the sewage treatment project, an 18-million-litre-per-day (MLD) plant, with a storage capacity of about 1.30 crore litres, was constructed on the outskirts of Vikarabad at a cost of ₹13 crore.
The project was taken up under the Satellite Township scheme in 2012, under which Vikarabad and Bheemunipatnam in Andhra Pradesh were selected for development. With the projected population for 2038 in mind, ₹101 crore was released for drinking water, an underground sewage system and road development in Vikarabad.
The Centre's share was 80%, while the state government was originally to contribute 10% and the municipality another 10%. As the Vikarabad municipality did not have sufficient funds at the time, the state government contributed 20%.
The project included a 110-km underground sewage network and provision of clean drinking water to 25,000 households. About ₹107 crore was allocated from the overall budget for these works, including the STP. The works were completed within two years.
The agency that secured the contract was supposed to maintain the facilities for 25 years. However, the STP developed problems within a few years of completion.
Eight MLD sewage reaches plant every day
Vikarabad municipality supplies about 10 MLD of water every day for domestic and commercial use. After use, about 8 MLD of sewage from most wards and colonies reaches the treatment plant.
The sewage is supposed to be released into the Musi only after complete treatment. Instead, it has been flowing directly into the river because the pumps have remained non-functional for about six years.
The pollution is affecting areas around Kothagadi, Kamareddyguda and Pendlimaidugu in Vikarabad, along with Chinchalpet, Chittigidda and Pulmamidi in Nawabpet mandal, and areas extending up to Shankarpally in Rangareddy district.
Farmers in these areas are relying on the polluted river water for irrigation. Vegetables, leafy greens and fruits grown in the region are also supplied to Hyderabad, raising concerns over public health.
Farmers and leaders of several political parties have staged protests several times, but farmers say no effective steps have been taken to fully restore the STP.
'Pumps are being repaired'
Vikarabad municipal commissioner G. Vikram Simha Reddy said three motors at the STP were not functioning.
"Recently, the Centre released ₹1 crore. We are carrying out repairs with those funds. We will complete the work in one to three months. Thereafter, the water will be released into the Musi only after treatment," he said.
'The water causes sores on the feet'
"Musi has been carrying sewage for a long time. Waste from hospitals and other establishments in Vikarabad is also entering the river, and even cattle are refusing to drink the water. Farmers are relying on borewells for their vegetable crops. When we put our feet in the water, sores develop on the skin," said farmer Lakshmaiah of Alampally.