Hyderabad: Treated as cesspool, Kukatpally’s Nalla Cheruvu restored to vibrant water body

Hyderabad: Kukatpally’s Nalla Cheruvu, once a neglected stretch of filth and debris, has been restored to a vibrant water body, filled to the brim with rainwater after recent showers.

The rejuvenation, achieved in just four months under the HYDRAA, has turned the lake into both a flood-control reservoir and a recreational hub for residents.

From dump yard to reservoir

Years of encroachments and construction waste had shrunk the lake’s spread to 16 acres, nearly erasing its identity.

HYDRAA, armed with revenue and village records, removed 16 commercial sheds built inside the Full Tank Level (FTL) and cleared decades of accumulated silt.

Excavation up to four meters deep eliminated foul odor, paving the way for revival. At present, the lake stretches across 28 acres, nearly double its earlier size, and has already filled with rainwater this monsoon.

Protecting neighbourhoods from floods

Surrounded by thickly populated colonies, Nalla Cheruvu earlier caused frequent inundation during the rains. To address this, HYDRAA constructed seven inlets to channel stormwater into the lake and developed an improved outlet system, with an additional outlet under construction, to ensure smooth drainage.

Measures have also been taken to prevent sewage inflows. Islands created inside the lake are expected to support aquatic biodiversity, while the revival has boosted groundwater levels and recharged borewells in the area.

New urban breathing space

Beyond flood control, the lake has emerged as a community space. A 1.5 km walking track now attracts over 600 walkers daily, while weekends have turned the spot into a popular picnic destination. Plans are underway for community halls and multipurpose facilities, making the lake a recreational and cultural hub.

Hyderabad will be a flood-free city

HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath, who inspected the site, said the project was not without challenges, from opposition to encroachment removals to criticism during implementation. “Despite setbacks, the results are visible. Kukatpally Nalla Cheruvu is a model for lake restoration,” he said.

Ranganath added that, under the first phase, six lakes were taken up, with Amberpet’s Bathukamma Kunta and Kukatpally Nalla Cheruvu nearly complete, and four others nearing readiness. Another 13 lakes will be rejuvenated in the next phase.

Citing the vision of Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, who built Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar a century ago for flood control, the commissioner asserted: “Hyderabad will soon emerge as a green, safe, and flood-free model city for the country.”