Telangana’s ‘Blue-Green’ vision: Renewal of lakes and urban green expansion, says Sridhar Babu

Hyderabad: Positioning sustainability at the core of urban development, the Telangana government on Tuesday unveiled a comprehensive ‘Blue-Green’ infrastructure roadmap.

The roadmap was aimed at reviving rivers and lakes, expanding urban forests, strengthening flood resilience and securing long-term climatic stability for Hyderabad and its surrounding regions.

Addressing delegates at a session on Musi Rejuvenation and Blue-Green Infrastructure in Hyderabad at the Telangana Rising Global Summit 2025, IT Minister D Sridhar Babu said the State’s vision aligns with Vision 2047, with a strong focus on clean water, green cover, disaster preparedness and environmentally balanced growth.

Global participation in climate dialogue

The session witnessed participation from World Bank representatives, climate experts, industry leaders and noted water conservationist Rajendra Singh, a global advocate of water restoration and blue-green development.

The interactions focused on policy alignment, stakeholder participation and global partnerships required to transform Telangana into a sustainable urban model.

Why is the state betting on Blue-Green Infrastructure?

The Minister said blue-green spaces are no longer just environmental assets but key economic and social growth drivers.

These spaces contribute to improved urban mobility, enhanced recreation and public safety, real estate growth, investor confidence and environmental security and climate protection.

“Every restored water body and green corridor directly strengthens the city’s resilience,” he said.

Three pillars of Telangana’s environmental strategy

As per Minister Sridhar Babu, the government’s blue-green model is structured around three major focus areas:

- Rejuvenation of the Musi River,

- Restoration and protection of lakes

- Expansion of the urban green network,

Musi River to be developed as Hyderabad’s ‘Blue Spine’

Once a lifeline for drinking water and irrigation, the 55-km-long Musi River is now being revived under a massive infrastructure programme.

The key components include linking Musi with Godavari River waters, construction of sewage treatment plants (STPs), strengthening of trunk sewer networks, building new bridges and pedestrian crossings and restoring natural river flow for flood moderation.

Referring to the devastating 2021 floods, the Minister said the government has since put in place round-the-clock flood monitoring, quick-response disaster systems and public safety advisories.

3,262 lakes identified for revival across Telangana

The State has identified 3,262 lakes for protection and revival: 476 lakes within the Outer Ring Road (ORR), and 2,786 lakes outside the ORR.

The specialised agency HYDRAA has been entrusted with the task of identifying encroachments, reviving natural inflow and outflow channels and restoring degraded lakes.

Statutory protection for lake boundaries

To permanently safeguard water bodies, 445 preliminary lake boundary notifications have been issued, 1,079 final notifications are in the pipeline and buffer zones are being provided legal protection.

“Each revived lake will act as a flood cushion, groundwater recharge zone and a community green space,” the Minister said.

Major push for urban forests and parks

Alongside water restoration, the government has launched a major green expansion drive around 15,000 acres under social urban forestry, 213 urban parks under development in Greater Hyderabad, 4.5 crore saplings planned for plantation during 2025–26, 78 lakh saplings earmarked along ORR green corridors and walking and cycling tracks inside reserved forest blocks.

Kothwalguda Eco Park showcased as global green asset

The 85-acre Kothwalguda Eco Park was showcased as a flagship biodiversity destination, housing 8,000 birds, 19 species, India’s largest aviary, second-largest aviary globally. The eco-park is being promoted as a green tourism and conservation hub.

Clean water, air and living as core goals

The Minister reiterated that the government’s core governance philosophy is anchored on safe drinking water, clean air, and a healthy urban environment.

He invited global institutions, NGOs and climate experts to actively partner with the State in shaping Telangana’s long-term sustainability agenda.

Vision 2047: Telangana as a global blue-green leader

As part of Vision 2047, the government aims to transform Hyderabad into a net-zero, climate-resilient megacity, positioning Telangana as a global leader in blue-green infrastructure development, Sridhar Babu said.