The Kunta springs back to life!

metro india news  I hyderabad

“HYDRAA is not just about demolitions, but also lake revival. I’m thrilled that the Bathukamma Kunta is back to its former glory, quips Vignesh Jishnu a resident of Central Excise Colony which is just a stone’s throw from the water body. Ravikanth, another resident of Amberpet says, “During my childhood, I saw women throng to Bathukamma Kunta, I’m happy, I can see them back this time,” says he.

What was once spread over 16 acres, the kunta (pond) is now reduced to 5 acres but the residents of Amberpet are not complaining. At least, it has been restored, else the space would have been grabbed.

How the rejuvenation started?

The Hyderabad Disaster Response & Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) started work last November and to everyone’s surprise, workers struck water just after digging four feet. Cut to July 7, 2025 the kunta is full with water. Just a few months ago, it was full of shrubs and garbage.  HYDRAA’s cleared encroachments, undertook desilting, and restoring the lake’s natural ecosystem.

Restoration to be completed by September

The lake rejuvenation works are progressing rapidly, and we expect to complete the restoration of Bathukamma Kunta Cheruvu by September 2025, a statement from HYDRAA said. HYDRAA Commissioner A V Ranganath stated that every lake being rejuvenated under the agency’s initiative will include a flood management component. “Inlet and outlet nalas will be revived wherever feasible.”

Ranganath noted that more than one kilometre of the outlet nala is currently being restored, something that did not exist earlier. This is expected to significantly reduce flooding in upstream areas surrounding the lake. Revival of the inlets too is underway to address the issue holistically.