Thammidikunta Revival Marks Major Step in Hyderabad's Waterbody Conservation: CM Revanth Reddy

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Wednesday inaugurated the restored Thammidikunta Lake in Madhapur, marking a significant step in the government's efforts to reclaim the city's disappearing water bodies and improve its environmental infrastructure. The occasion also provided a platform for the Chief Minister to announce progress on the Musi River rejuvenation project, with the first phase covering 21 km expected to begin soon following the completion of the necessary permission process.

Restored by the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), Thammidikunta has been expanded from 14 acres to approximately 30 acres, according to the Chief Minister. More than 30,000 truckloads of waste and silt were removed, while the lake's depth was increased from 0.6 metres to 4.6 metres. The project, reportedly costing around Rs. 20 crore, included sewage diversion pipelines, three rainwater inlets, an outlet system and catchment improvements. A 1.6-km walking track, open gym, children's play area, landscaped gardens and public seating facilities have also been developed. Thousands of saplings were planted, with a 60-year-old bonsai becoming a major attraction.

Actor Akkineni Nagarjuna, who attended as the guest of honour, was felicitated by the Chief Minister for contributing two acres of land towards the lake's expansion. The contribution follows the August 2024 demolition of portions of his N-Convention Centre by HYDRAA over alleged encroachments into the lake's Full Tank Level (FTL) and buffer zones.

Revanth Reddy said Hyderabad once had 1,372 lakes, but nearly half disappeared because of encroachments, urbanisation and administrative negligence. The government is restoring nearly 20 water bodies, including Bathukamma Kunta, Bum-Rukn-ud-Daula, Sunnam Cheruvu, Nalla Cheruvu, Fox Sagar and Miyapur Lake. Restoration of Uppal's Nalla Cheruvu has reportedly recovered its extent to 67.31 acres, with improved drainage connections.

Recalling the devastating 1908 floods, the Chief Minister highlighted the construction of Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar under engineer Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya. He warned that continued encroachment of natural water bodies was worsening urban flooding and traffic congestion.

On the Musi project, Revanth Reddy said permissions had been secured for the initial 21-km stretch of the 55-km river corridor. The first phase covers 9.20 km from Himayatsagar to Bapu Ghat and 11.80 km from Osman Sagar to Bapu Ghat. The government has sanctioned Rs. 7,345.12 crore, excluding land acquisition, with a proposed Rs. 4,500-crore Asian Development Bank loan and the balance from HMDA and TGIIC. Tender notices issued on October 12 cover river cleaning, flood protection, embankments, bridges, sewer networks, stormwater drains and rubber dams, with November 26 set as the bid deadline.

The government also plans sewage interception, pumping stations and treatment infrastructure along the 34-km Bapu Ghat–Gowrelly stretch. The Chief Minister cited pollution affecting downstream communities, particularly farmers in Nalgonda, and assured rehabilitation for affected families. Indiramma housing documents were distributed to 34 families displaced during development of Ramantapur Pedda Cheruvu in Uppal.