Bengaluru lake department recommends HYDRAA-like agency for every state
Hyderabad: A team of engineers from the Bengaluru Lakes Department visited Hyderabad on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, to study the operations of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA). The visit focused on the agency's efforts to restore, protect, and develop lakes across the city.
The team toured historic water bodies such as Bam Rukn-ud-Daula Lake in the Old City and Bathukamma Kunta in Amberpet. They observed the current state of the lakes ahead of planned restoration work and reviewed measures taken to clear encroachments and revive dried-up water bodies.
At Bathukamma Kunta, once overrun by thorn bushes and invasive plants, the engineers showed interest in the challenges of eviction and the origin of the lake’s name. They noted the transformation of the neglected site into a functional lake.
At Bam Rukn-ud-Daula Lake, they were briefed on its historical significance. The lake, surrounded by medicinal plants and tree branches, features an underground well that once served as a drinking water source for the Nizam rulers. The delegation commended HYDRAA’s efforts in restoring such historically important lakes.
The engineers emphasized the role of lakes in flood prevention and stressed the importance of protecting drainage channels connected to these water bodies. They closely reviewed measures taken by HYDRAA in this regard.
The Karnataka delegation, led by Chief Engineer Haridas and including Executive Engineers Nithya, Bhooprad, and Mahadev, later met HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath. They said they were aware of HYDRAA’s work through media reports but found the field visit particularly informative.
They praised HYDRAA’s work in reviving lost or polluted lakes and preventing encroachments on lakes, drains, parks, and public lands. They also noted HYDRAA’s success in raising awareness about Full Tank Levels (FTL) and buffer zones.
The delegation said a dedicated agency like HYDRAA is needed in every state. They shared initiatives taken in Bengaluru since 2006, including demarcation and fencing of lake boundaries to curb encroachments. They said canal encroachments remain a key cause of flooding and that the Karnataka government is working to address the issue.
As a gesture of appreciation, the Bengaluru team presented a photo frame of lakes in their city visited earlier by the HYDRAA Commissioner.
Commissioner Reviews Drainage Issues
Later in the day, Commissioner A.V. Ranganath inspected flood-prone areas and drainage channels. At Road No. 12 in Banjara Hills, he visited a culvert near Chintal Basti, where half of the 12-meter width was found encroached, causing garbage buildup and water flow obstruction.
He oversaw clearing efforts using a long-arm JCB and recommended deploying similar equipment across the city for cleaning major culverts.
In Krishna Nagar, he reviewed a partially built 3-meter-wide stormwater drain. He questioned officials about the delay in completing the work and stressed the need to extend the drain across the main road using box drains or pipes within a day or two to restore traffic. He called for a joint meeting with relevant departments to resolve the issue promptly.
