HYDRAA to Increase Hyderabad Lakes’ Storage Capacity

 Hyderabad: The HYDRAA expects to increase the water storage capacity of Nalla Cheruvu in Kukatpally, following its efforts to rejuvenate the lake. Unlike the previous works, which focused mostly on cleaning water and beautification, the HYDRAA’s pilot project is focused on increasing the lake’s water spread and storage capacity.

Previously, the 27-acre Nalla Cheruvu, in Balanagar mandal, had a water spread of 14 acres and 32 guntas. After the rejuvenation, the water spread is expected to increase to 22 acres and nine guntas. Its storage capacity is expected to increase from 71.87 million litres to 134.91 million litres.

“A large part of the lake was encroached by dumping soil and silt. We have dried up the entire lake and started removing the soil and silt from the lake bed,” officials said.

By the monsoon season, HYDRAA plans to complete preliminary works to ensure that rains can fill up the lake and restore the ecosystem.

HYDRAA is also planning to fence the lake and a park around it. It will also have a downstream nala, a sewage diversion drain, two main inlets along with buffer and revenue boundaries. The park will have a suspension pond, a kids play area, a gym area, a fountain, toilets and a small island deep inside the lake.

Previously, HYDRAA removed several encroachments along the lake. On September 22 2024, authorities removed more than 16 commercial sheds, along with several compound walls erected by encroaching on the lake. From the encroachment drive, authorities were able to reclaim more than four acres of the lake land.

HYDRAA also plans to revive six lakes across the city and rejuvenate Sunnam Cheruvu and Thammidikunta lakes at Madhapur, Nalla Cheruvu in Uppal, Bum Rukn-ud-Dowla in Rajendranagar and Bathukamma Kunta in Amberpet.