AP Clears In-Principle Approval for Rs 750-Cr City of Lakes and Tanks Project for Tirupati

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh government has accorded in-principle approval for a Rs 750-crore project to transform Tirupati into a climate-resilient City of Lakes and Tanks by restoring its historic water bodies, strengthening stormwater infrastructure and reviving the city's natural drainage network.

The proposed climate-resilient “integrated water management in Tirupati urban development area” project will be implemented by the Tirupati urban development authority in line with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's vision of developing Tirupati into a national model for integrated lake rejuvenation, flood mitigation and sustainable urban development.

Historically, Tirupati was sustained by an interconnected network of lakes, tanks, channels and natural drainage courses that moderated floods, recharged groundwater and maintained ecological balance. However, rapid urbanisation, encroachments, siltation, shrinking water bodies, missing links between tanks and the discharge of sewage and sullage have severely weakened the system.

The devastating floods of November 2021 exposed the city's growing vulnerability to extreme rainfall and urban flooding.

The project seeks to restore around 25 lakes and tanks through desilting, deepening, strengthening of bunds, sluices, surplus courses and interlinking channels, restoration of natural water cascades, pollution control measures, protection works and development of blue-green public infrastructure.

Avilala Tank has been identified as a priority, with the chief minister directing officials to develop it on the lines of Hyderabad's Tank Bund.

The estimated project cost of Rs 750 crore includes Rs 250 crore each for water body rejuvenation and interlinking, integrated stormwater management, and contingencies, taxes, DPR preparation, project management, studies, land-related costs and allied requirements.

The government also proposes to mobilise about Rs 500 crore (EUR 50 million) in concessional external assistance from Germany's KfW Development Bank under the central government’s externally aided project framework.

The stormwater management component will rehabilitate and expand drainage infrastructure in Tirupati Municipal Corporation and adjoining peri-urban areas, incorporating rainwater harvesting structures, nature-based solutions and sustainable urban design to reduce flooding and waterlogging.

Principal secretary to municipal administration and urban development, S Suresh Kumar, said the approval enables TUDA to proceed with DPR preparation, hydrological and flood studies, environmental and social assessments, financial structuring and stakeholder consultations.

He clarified that the present approval is limited to project preparation and appraisal, while implementation will require detailed technical, financial and statutory clearances.

The government has authorised TUDA to coordinate with Tirupati Municipal Corporation, the water resources department, C&DMA, APUFIDC and other agencies, besides uploading the preliminary project report on the portal of the Economic Affairs Department.

APUIAML has been directed to complete the DPR and financial tie-up within six months.