HYDRAA to restore 250-year-old Bum Rukn-ud-Dowla Lake in Old City, reduced from 18 acres to just 4
Open gyms, children’s play areas, and sitting spaces for senior citizens are being created on both sides of the lake
By - Sistla Dakshina Murthy
Bum Rukn-ud-Dowla Lake in Old City
Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has undertaken an ambitious project to restore the 250-year-old historic Bum-Rukn-ud-Dowla Lake in the Old City to its original grandeur.
Once a sprawling 18-acre lake that had shrunk to just over four acres due to encroachments, it is now being revived through an extensive rejuvenation drive.
‘Complete lake restoration by November’
HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath inspected the restoration works on Tuesday and directed officials to ensure completion by the end of November.
During his field visit, Ranganath reviewed various aspects of the lake restoration, including desilting, bund strengthening, stormwater channels, and beautification works.
He stressed that Bum-Rukn-ud-Dowla Lake, with its rich history and ecological significance, should be preserved as a national heritage asset for future generations.
“HYDRAA is determined to revive this lake not only as a water conservation project but as a living monument of Hyderabad’s cultural identity,” he said. The Commissioner recalled that encroachments were cleared last year, restoring the lake’s full 18-acre spread.
Eco-friendly and aesthetic development
The restoration plan includes a full-scale beautification of the lakefront with walking tracks, landscaped bunds, and sturdy fencing for safety. Open gyms, children’s play areas, and sitting spaces for senior citizens are being created on both sides of the lake.
Parks with flowering plants, green lawns, and eco-friendly lighting will add to the aesthetic appeal. HYDRAA engineers are reinforcing the historic stone bund built during the Nizam era, preserving its original architecture while improving structural strength.
Inlets and outlets have been redesigned to regulate natural water flow during rains, ensuring both flood control and groundwater recharge. CCTV surveillance will soon be operational to enhance security and prevent future encroachments.
A lake with a royal legacy
The Bum-Rukn-ud-Dowla Lake, dating back to 1770, was built by Nawab Rukn-ud-Doula, who served as Prime Minister under the Third Nizam, Sikandar Jah. Locals recall that in its prime, the lake spread across nearly 100 acres, collecting floodwaters from Rajendranagar, Aramghar, and Katedan.
During the Nizam era, Mir Alam Tank was reserved for royal men, while Bum-Rukn-ud-Dowla Lake was the bathing site for queens. Folklore suggests that the lake’s waters contained herbal and aromatic properties, thanks to the surrounding vegetation.
It is believed that the water was once exported to Arab countries for perfume production, a testament to the lake’s unique heritage.
Symbol of heritage and civic pride
Locals and historians have hailed HYDRAA’s restoration initiative as a revival of Hyderabad’s forgotten legacy.
“It’s not just about water, it’s about reconnecting with the city’s roots. This lake is part of Hyderabad’s living history,” said a resident near the lake.
Once completed, the Bum-Rukn-ud-Dowla Lake Restoration Project will serve as a model for sustainable urban rejuvenation, blending heritage conservation, ecological balance, and civic development in one transformative initiative.
