HYDRAA Begins Restoration of Ramanthapur Lake with ₹19 Crore Investment

The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has initiated restoration work on Ramanthapur lake in the Uppal constituency. Commissioner A.V. Ranganath inaugurated the project with a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, officially beginning the restoration efforts.

The project represents a key component of HYDRAA's broader strategy to enhance flood management capabilities and safeguard the city's water resources. The agency has already completed restoration of six lakes in its initial phase and is now undertaking restoration of 14 additional lakes as part of its second phase.

Ramanthapur Pedda Cheruvu, the water body in question, has a Full Tank Level area spanning 30 acres. Illegal encroachments had consumed approximately 16 acres of the lake's surface. Permanent structures occupied about 12 acres, while temporary makeshift shelters accounted for another 4 acres. HYDRAA successfully removed the temporary encroachments and secured more than 18 acres for restoration activities.

The restoration initiative will require an investment of approximately ₹19 crore. Upon completion, the project is anticipated to significantly mitigate flooding in the surrounding areas. The restored water body is also expected to enhance groundwater recharge and contribute to environmental conservation efforts in the region. Officials anticipate the project will bolster ecological health and improve the lake's capacity to retain water during monsoon periods.

Many families residing in temporary structures near the lake have historically endured considerable challenges during heavy rainfall when water levels rise. These residents largely depended on casual labour and informal waste collection activities for sustenance. HYDRAA conducted extensive consultations with the affected communities, detailing the government's resettlement programme. The residents subsequently agreed to support the restoration initiative.

The government provided double-bedroom housing to approximately 36 families displaced by the project. This intervention not only improved housing conditions for these households but also freed up critical space necessary for lake restoration and expansion work.

Officials emphasised that lake conservation serves dual purposes—preserving water resources while ensuring environmental sustainability for Hyderabad's future. The Ramanthapur lake restoration initiative exemplifies this commitment to integrated resource management.