Disappeared Bathukamma Kunta: HYDRAA discovers secret water source during excavation

Hyderabad: HYDRAA has discovered a secret water source during excavation to restore Bathukamma Kunta in Amberpet.

When workers excavated a portion of the land where the lake is claimed to have existed, water began to ooze out at a depth of four feet.

Locals believe that complete rejuvenation of the lake can be achieved if all the rubbish and debris removed from the lake over decades are removed after they notice the water flowing out once knee-deep soil is removed. Officials from HYDRAA stated that water is confirmation of the lake's existence and that the Agency will resuscitate it.

HYDRAA started working on resurrecting Amberpet's Bathukamma Kunta Lake in November 2024 after Commissioner AV Ranganath inspected the lake and its surroundings. At the moment, the lake is only mentioned in the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority's (HMDA) records, and there was no trace of water.

In survey no. Five hundred sixty-three of Bagh Amberpet Mandal, the lake covered 14.06 acres, according to the 1962–1963 statistics. Officials from the survey verified that the buffer zone included 16.13 acres in total. The most recent assessment shows that just 5.15 acres of the lake are left.

Social media claimed that the source of water was a damaged water pipeline

Following reports of water being struck, several social media handles asserted that the source of the water was a damaged water pipeline. Ranganath denied the claims. A team of HMWSSB officials visited the site and confirmed that the water is from the lake itself, he said.

Ranganath double-checked it with HMWS&SB MD Ashok Reddy, who affirmed that there are no underground pipelines and that the water came from the lake. He also refuted social media rumors about excavation, stating that HYDRAA is actively engaged in lake rejuvenation programs in addition to deconstruction.

“I am still not sure, as I just couldn’t believe water at just four feet below ground. This would be a miracle if it’s correct. HYDRAA has now embarked on a more serious issue of lake rejuvenation. HYDRAA is not just demolition. It is into a more constructive job of protecting/ reviving water bodies,” the HYDRA Commissioner said.

HYDRAA is awaiting approval from govt for the resurrection of Bathukamma Kunta

“We have submitted a plan for the resurrection of Bathukamma Kunta to the government and are awaiting administrative approval. Once the sanction is received, we will call for tenders to revive the lake. Bathukamma Kunta is one of the six lakes in the city for which restoration is on the cards,” Ranganath said.

HYDRAA gears up to restore six lakes

Informing the HYDRA's plans to restore the lakes, apart from Bathukamma Kunta, the agency is also going to restore five more lakes, Bumrukh Dawala (Old city), Tammidi Kunta behind N convention, Sunnam Cheruvu (Guttala Begumpet, Madhapur), Nalla Cheruvu (Kukatpally) and Nalla Pedda Cheruvu (Uppal to Warangal Highway).

"HMDA is going to fund and technically approve the restoration. Dewatering and desilting are the first steps in the rejuvenation process, and excavation work is already underway in the six lakes. We are aiming to complete the revival of all six lakes by June. The DPRs have been prepared by a consultant from Bangalore who had earlier experience of rejuvenating lakes. Tenders will soon be issued to expedite the work," Ranganath said.

Elaborating further, he said that a 3D development model of Nalla Cheruvu in Uppal has also been created to demonstrate how the lake will look after it has been restored. In addition to restoring these water bodies, the initiative will raise groundwater levels, stop urban flooding, and improve the city's ecosystem, he added.