Remediation of NMK lake

The lake is heavily polluted due to presence of heavy metals, organics and inorganics and has been identified as a 'hot spot'

The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) has sanctioned a 32-month pilot remediation project funded by the World Bank for Noor Mohammed Kunta (NMK) lake in the city. The consortium of Witteveen Bos, Tauw, COWI A/S and Kadam Environmental Consultants under the name of Pollution Control Board Consultants (PCBC) implements the project.

NMK and Katedan Industrial Estate (KIE) in Rangareddy district are located in the Rajendranagar municipality adjoining the city. The NMK is heavily polluted due to presence of heavy metals, organics and inorganics and has been identified as a 'hot spot'. A major part of this pollution originates from KIE, according to an APPCB press release on Tuesday.

In the plains downstream of NMK, research fields of the Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University are located. In the past, the university filed complaints about pollution of its research fields.

It is expected that the remediation works will start in September 2013. The first phase of the remediation will be concluded in March 2014. The second phase of the remediation will be concluded by the end of 2015.