Hyderabad, Oct 24 (Maxim News): HYDRAA officials uncovered an unusual illegal borewell hidden beneath a mattress in a bedroom during a crackdown on unauthorised groundwater extraction near Sunnam Cheruvu in Madhapur on Saturday.
The borewell was reportedly concealed inside a residential premises. Underground plastic pipelines connected it to a wider network used to extract groundwater and supply it through tankers for sale at higher prices.
The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) launched the operation on October 24 to curb illegal borewell activity and commercial exploitation of groundwater around the lake. Officials used earthmovers to remove unauthorised pipelines and dismantle connections.
HYDRAA Removes Illegal Pipelines Near Sunnam Cheruvu
During the operation, officials identified several unauthorised borewell connections in the lake’s buffer and catchment areas. More than 10 borewell connections were reportedly removed using earthmoving machinery.
Revenue and Cyberabad Municipal Corporation officials participated in the operation under police security. HYDRAA said the action targeted illegal groundwater extraction and the supply of water through unauthorised tanker networks.
The operation follows earlier concerns about groundwater quality around Sunnam Cheruvu. In June 2025, the Telangana State Pollution Control Board reported excessive levels of heavy metals, including lead, cadmium and nickel, in groundwater samples collected near the lake.
The findings raised concerns about the possible health risks associated with consuming contaminated water. Authorities had previously warned that water extracted from unauthorised borewells near the lake was being supplied to hostels and other establishments.
HYDRAA has been carrying out enforcement and restoration work around Sunnam Cheruvu to protect the water body and prevent further unauthorised activity.
Officials said the latest operation was aimed at dismantling illegal extraction networks and protecting local groundwater resources. Further action may follow as authorities examine the unauthorised borewell connections and pipeline network.
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