HYDERABAD: Buoyed by the success of its pilot project at Bathukamma Kunta, the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) is now executing an ambitious city-wide blueprint to reclaim Hyderabad’s lost water bodies. The next jewel in this revival crown is the Bum-Rukn-ud-Dowla lake in Rajendranagar, set to be transformed from a polluted wasteland into a vibrant urban oasis.
Part of HYDRAA’s first-phase initiative to restore six major lakes, the project aims to reclaim 75 acres of encroached land and expand the collective water spread from 105 to 180 acres.
Once choked by sewage, garbage and unauthorised encroachments, the Bum-Rukn-ud-Dowla lake is undergoing large-scale rejuvenation and is expected to be inaugurated by the end of November or early December. HYDRAA has proposed to increase its spread from 4.12 acres to 9.81 acres and enhance storage capacity from 25.28 million litres to 130.52 million litres. The works are being carried out at an estimated cost of Rs 9.75 crore.
Currently, the catchment area of Bum-Rukn-ud-Dowla lake spans 2.02 sq km, with a periphery of 1,025 metres and a shoreline of about 928 metres. The main bund stretches 320 metres.
HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath said the restoration involves desilting the lake bed, strengthening the bund, laying a ring bund with walkways, fencing the boundary and diverting sewage inflows. Three main inlets and one outlet weir will be constructed to improve water circulation.
Once completed, the lake is expected to serve as both a scenic retreat and a vital ecological buffer for the surrounding region.
The Bum-Rukn-ud-Dowla restoration is among six key projects being taken up by HYDRAA under the direction of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. Other lakes under revival include Bathukamma Kunta, Sunnam Cheruvu and Thammidikunta Lake in Madhapur, Nalla Cheruvu in Uppal and Nalla Cheruvu in Kukatpally. Together, these projects are being implemented at a total cost of Rs 58 crore–Rs 60 crore.