From Dump Yards to Festival Venues: HYDRAA-Developed Lakes Host Kite Festival in Hyderabad
HYDRAA-developed lakes in Hyderabad have turned into festival venues as Kite Festival begins. Once polluted ponds are now clean public spaces drawing crowds.
Hyderabad: Several lakes developed by HYDRAA have transformed into vibrant festival venues, bringing joy to city residents and showcasing a major turnaround in Hyderabad’s urban landscape. After successfully hosting Bathukamma celebrations last year, HYDRAA-developed lakes are now ready to host the Kite Festival, drawing crowds who are admiring the renewed beauty of these water bodies.
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The transformation has turned once-neglected lakes into lively public spaces, with citizens expressing happiness over the visible change brought by HYDRAA’s development works.
HYDRAA Lakes Become New Festival Destinations
As part of New Year festivities, multiple lakes restored by HYDRAA have been prepared as venues for the Kite Festival. These include:
- Thammidikunta Lake, Madhapur
- Nallacheruvu Lake, Kukatpally
- Bum Rukn-ud-Daula Lake, Old City
Residents visiting these locations say the lakes, once encroached and polluted, now look clean, spacious, and welcoming.
Last year, Bathukamma Kunta at Amberpet—also developed by HYDRAA—served as a major venue for Bathukamma celebrations. The lake was inaugurated by A. Revanth Reddy, who also participated in the festivities, turning the area into a cultural hub for nearly a week.
From Polluted Ponds to Public Spaces
Before HYDRAA’s intervention, nearly 60% of Hyderabad’s lakes had disappeared, while many remaining ones were reduced to sewage-filled pits due to encroachments and unchecked pollution. These areas had become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and diseases, making them unsafe even to visit.
After HYDRAA took charge:
- Encroachments were removed
- Sewage inflow was diverted
- Sludge and waste were cleared using thousands of truckloads
- Strong bunds and walking paths were built around lakes
- Open spaces were created for children, walkers, and fitness activities
Today, these lakes have become recreational and tourism-friendly spots, bustling with walkers in the mornings and families in the evenings—making them suitable venues for public celebrations.
Kite Festival From January 11
The Kite Festival will be held for three days starting January 11, with HYDRAA-restored lakes serving as the main venues.
As part of restoration:
- Thammidikunta Lake (Madhapur) was expanded from 14 acres to 30 acres
- Nallacheruvu Lake (Kukatpally) grew from 16 acres to 30 acres
- Bum Rukn-ud-Daula Lake, once reduced to just 4.12 acres, has now been restored to 17 acres, reviving its historic identity
Historical records indicate that Bum Rukn-ud-Daula Lake once spanned 104 acres and played a crucial role in meeting drinking water needs in the Old City.
Praise From Environmental Experts
Environmental experts who recently visited Hyderabad for a global summit expressed surprise and appreciation after seeing HYDRAA’s lake restoration work. Many remarked that HYDRAA-like systems should be implemented across India to revive urban water bodies.
Out of the first phase of six lakes taken up by HYDRAA, Bathukamma Kunta has already been inaugurated, while Thammidikunta, Nallacheruvu, and Bum Rukn-ud-Daula are now hosting the Kite Festival. Meanwhile, Sunnam Cheruvu (Madhapur) and Nallacheruvu (Uppal) are still under development.
A New Identity for Hyderabad’s Lakes
What were once unsafe, polluted zones have now turned into clean, green, and festive public spaces. Citizens say the lakes are no longer places to avoid, but destinations to relax, celebrate, and enjoy community events—marking a visible success for HYDRAA’s urban rejuvenation efforts.
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