HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath stated that restoring Hyderabad’s historic chain-link lake system will not only help control urban flooding but also improve groundwater levels significantly.
Speaking at the “Way2News” conclave on Friday, the Commissioner said Hyderabad, once famously known as the “Lake City,” originally had 1,384 lakes. However, nearly 625 lakes have disappeared, while many of the remaining 759 lakes are under threat due to encroachments.
He said HYDRAA’s mission is not only to protect the existing lakes but also to trace and restore vanished water bodies. Efforts are underway to reconnect the chain-link lake system to ensure smooth water flow and reduce flood risks across the city.
The Commissioner emphasized that environmental imbalance is one of the major reasons behind natural disasters, citing recent storm-related deaths in Uttar Pradesh. He stressed the need to protect nature and promote eco-friendly urban development.
According to him, encroachments on lakes and drainage channels are the primary reasons for urban flooding. As part of the first phase, HYDRAA has already developed six lakes and initiated development works on 14 more lakes.
The government aims to create “Tank Bund”-style lakefronts across the city and plans to develop four major lakes on a large scale. These projects include parks, greenery, walking tracks, open gyms, children’s play areas, and recreational spaces around lakes.
He said polluted and neglected lakes are gradually being transformed into tourist-friendly destinations. The Commissioner highlighted the redevelopment of Bathukamma Kunta in Amberpet, Nallacheruvu in Kukatpally, and Bam Rukn-ud-Daula Lake in the Old City as successful examples.
Under HYDRAA’s 10-year roadmap, the goal is to restore and develop at least 1,300 lakes, which would significantly improve groundwater levels and benefit the environment.
The Commissioner also mentioned large-scale restoration of flood canals. He said removal of encroachments along the Patny Nala has improved floodwater flow and reduced flood threats for more than 20 nearby colonies.
He added that HYDRAA is working not only on disaster management but also on long-term environmental protection and sustainable urban development.
