NEW LIFE : FACELIFT OF LAWSONS BAY BEACH FRONT.

Safe beaches is a need of the hour in the wake of the tragic deaths that incessantly keep
recurring in the city. There couldnt be a better strategic location for a safe beach than
Lawsons Bay Beach- tucked away between the Tenneti park to it north and VUDA
childrens park to its south while backed by the M.V.P Colony, allegedly Asias largest
residential colony.
Beaches are at the heart of this citys image, their wellbeing ensures tourism besides
providing open spaces to the city. Nature has bestowed our city with the unique feature of the
sea shore kissing the hills. As citizens its our privilege and also duty, to enjoy this but not at
mother natures cost. Powerful development and beautification must consciously bear in
mind to not harm delicate nature.
A befitting solution can only come from a through diagnostics.
There are four factors which have inhibited the natural growth of the beach. The presence of
a natural storm water drain turned urban drain, an open conventional crematorium, no visual
connectivity from the thoroughfare and the fishermen villagers.
The corporation almost nailed the issues causing mayhem, although the solutions arrived at
thereafter are debatable.
Diversion of the drain to Appugharh STP( Sewage Treatment Plant) would serve no real
purpose in correcting the situation. This is so as, only after grit removal does the pump house
send the stipulated quantity of 25 MLD of sewage to the STP, as is the procedure. An over
load will result in the malfunctioning of the plant. What goes unnoticed is the direct
unvalved connection the grit removal chamber has to this very drain situated in its backyard,
which allows ready flow of sewage into it. This line is active for longer periods than the
authorities are willing to acknowledge. The journey / story further is no prettier. The sludge
drying beds lie dry for the past 6 months minimum. Implying that the sludge is not being
treated or even segregated from the sewage. The continued running of the aeration chamber is
but an eye-wash and wastage of precious electricity. Its gets more murky. The treated water
is discharged 1Km into the ocean. Which shouldnt be necessary as the treated water ,is
well- treated! By the activated sludge treatment system that they employ 90% of the water
can be recovered after treatment. And if UV treated, its even portable. That is around
2,25,00,000 litres of water saved per day. But the practice adopted presently is not viable
economically, socially or environmentally. To add to this the real-estate has gone down in the
vicinity due to the visual, noise and air pollution continuously created.
The problem needs to be nipped at it source. Which is in the hills surrounding the
mudusolova lake. It was originally a natural gully which would disgorge into the sea. As
urbanization took place it soon converted into a massive open drain which now discharges
untreated sewage collected along it 7Km long journey through the city, into the sea.
While a machine less, electricity free, odour free, minimal maintenance, economical, robust
natural solution which also replenishes groundwater, beautifies the city, creates open spaces

and cuts down the cost is available at our disposal. The Root Zone Treatment system was
adopted by the Pune municipality when it faced a similar problem like ours. The Osho Teerth
Park is the pinnacle of its success. Its a 1 Km long Zen garden, now a full-fledged ecosystem
in its own right. The treatment process is based on the activity of microorganisms present in
the soil. Sealed filter beds are made consisting of a sand/gravel/soil system, planted with
vegetation, which can grow in wet-lands. After removal of coarse material from the sewage,
the wastewater passes through the filter bed where biodegradation of wastewater takes place.
This has an intrinsic dual function and a third can be added on. Firstly, it cleans sewage
naturally without any noise, odour, ugly, expensive mechanised plants. Secondly, enhances
its surroundings by creating a public garden along its path. The real estate that was previously
suffering due to its presence will now flourish over it. These ugly scars that the city tried
hiding will transform into a shining medallion on its proud chest. Thirdly, the water can be
conserved and used to replenish the aquifer by building catchments whenever possible. The
result of which is before us in the Sadhana Forest project, where by digging trenches and
building earthen dams they were able to rise the underground water level by six meters. Also
at the delta the presence of a mangrove will help protect the city against natural calamities.
Research has proven a 75% reduction in the tsunami effect in proportion to the size of the
mangrove. All this can be attained well within the designated budget and at half the capital
cost of a conventional sewage treatment plan and a much lower operation and maintenance
cost.
For once dont override the nature but give it an opportunity and watch it transform itself
from the victim into the victor.
If this seems too much to accomplish, a still simpler solution exists. The SBT ( Soil Bio
Technology) involves removal of organic matter by adsorption followed by biological
degradation and oxygen supply by natural aeration to the treatment system. In layman terms
its a giant earth filtration system which uses living organisms to help in the process. Up to
90% water can be reused. This has been adopted in Worli, Mumbai. It also has a garden like
appearance.
A biomass gasifier crematorium can be designed appropriately to gel well with the
surroundings and use the bio-mass for a sustainable practice. This has been adopted in a
village, Tanuku in our own sate. The Waltair bus depot road can be extended to make a
proper approach road for the beach. Care must be taken to not repeat the folly of the R.K
Beach, where vehicles dominate. A pedestrian oriented approach must be adopted. The
fishermen village can be integrated into the project by developing Village tourism, mutually
benefitting both the authorities and villagers.
The corporation must look into such practices. They might not have the oomph factor. But let
ignorance not mar the corporations sincere efforts to uplift the city and society by adopting
methods that do more harm than good. This is a multifaceted issue whose solution requires
careful articulation keeping various aspects in mind, else it shall fail miserably.