Archive · 3 Aug 2026
Can Hyderabad heal its broken chain of lakes?
Hyderabad used to have many lakes that helped keep the city dry.
Over the last 50 years, most of those lakes were filled in with concrete.
Now the city is trying to bring them back.
They will clean the lakes, build new water treatment plants, and fix old stepwells.
The plan also stops new buildings from taking over lake areas.
This should help stop floods and make the city healthier.
Hyderabad has lost 61% of its lake area since 1975, with 23 of 185 major lakes dried.
The 2026 Telangana Lake Health Survey found many lakes in “Grade E” condition, biologically dead.
The government’s HYDRAA agency reclaimed over 800 acres of encroached lake land and launched a ₹107‑crore restoration project for four major lakes.
Restoration plans include removing silt, redesigning stormwater channels, building sewage treatment plants, and reviving ancient stepwells like Bansilal Stepwell.
The city’s concrete expansion now covers 75% of land, leaving only 25% permeable, causing flash floods during heavy monsoon rains.
- Who
- Hyderabad government and HYDRAA agency
- What
- Lake restoration and reclamation
- When
- 1975-2024 loss, 2026 survey, 2024 restoration project
- Where
- Hyderabad, Telangana, India
- Why
- To combat flooding, restore ecological health, and protect water bodies
- Lake area lost
- 61% since 1975
- Number of dried lakes
- 23 out of 185
- Restoration project cost
- ₹107 crore
- Lakes restored
- Kapra Cheruvu (112 acres), Ibrahim Pedda Cheruvu (97 acres), Bhagirathamma Cheruvu (54 acres), Kamuni Cheruvu (48 acres)
- Reclaimed land
- 800 acres
- Concrete coverage
- 75% of Hyderabad
- Permeable land
- 25% of Hyderabad