HYDERABAD: The rejuvenated Kudi Kunta in Kondapur was inaugurated on Monday, marking the end of nearly 10 years of effort by residents, volunteers and government agencies to restore the once-polluted water body.
Located in the fast-growing Masjid Banda area, the lake has been transformed into a sustainable urban ecosystem through community action and scientific planning, said officials.
A major highlight of the project is a remote sewage treatment plant (STP) that now treats over 7 million litres per day (MLD) of wastewater, they added. This has stopped untreated sewage from entering the lake and increased its water storage capacity by nearly 40%.
“What started as a small initiative has today become a community movement,” said Kalpana Ramesh, founder of the Rainwater Project, at the inauguration.
The revival began in 2016 with small clean-up drives by locals and environmental volunteers. Since then, more than 46 clean-up campaigns were conducted, over 250 meetings held with officials and nearly 2,500 days of voluntary effort invested.
In 2016, about 1.2 MLD of sewage flowed into the lake daily. With rapid urban growth, this rose to over 6 MLD by 2022. Activists pushed for a permanent solution instead of diverting sewage elsewhere. After discussions with the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board and GHMC, a remote STP was approved. The Forest department allotted one acre for the plant, located away from the lake’s green zone.
Treated water is now reused for irrigation and ecological recharge, benefiting nearby spaces such as the Hyderabad Botanical Garden and Palapitta Park.
To ensure long-term sustainability, about 60,000 fish have been introduced, and committees have been formed to manage fisheries and protection. A lakeside deck has been built for yoga and community events, with rental income used for maintenance. Nearly 600 apartment complexes currently contribute Rs 50 per month, and organisers hope more of the 2,000 apartments and 8,000 residents nearby will join.
“Every small contribution adds up. This is how we ensure the lake remains healthy in the long run,” a resident said.
Sensors now monitor water and air quality, with experts analysing the data. “With improved storage, wastewater treatment and strong community support, Kudi Kunta has become a model for citizen-led lake restoration,” added Kalpana.