Hyderabad: HYDRAA’s effort to rejuvenate the Bathukamma Kunta had a magical moment on Tuesday when workers struck water. After four feet of digging, water gushed out to the surface.According to the 1962-63 records the lake spanned 14.06 acres in survey no. 563 of Bagh Amberpet mandal. Survey officials confirmed that with the buffer zone the total area was 16.13 acres. As per the latest survey only 5.15 acres of the lake remain today.When work began in November, there was no trace of water. Instead, the area looked like an abandoned land parcel with wild plants and bushes.After the report of water being struck broke out, several social media accounts claimed that the water was coming from a broken water pipeline. HYDRAA commissioner A.V. Ranganath denied that it was so.HMWS&SB officials visited the site and confirmed that the water is from the lake itself. Commissioner Ranganath further verified it with HMWS&SB MD Ashok Reddy, who confirmed that there are no underground pipelines and that the water belonged to the lake.Ranganath also dismissed misinformation circulating on social media regarding excavation, he added HYDRAA is not solely about demolition but is actively working on lake rejuvenation projects.A local resident Sridhar Goud, said “For years, my father and grandparents shared that they used to swim in this lake. It has always been known as Bathukamma Kunta. However, a local individual created fake documents and claimed it as private property. Congress leader V.Hanumanth Rao fought for this land in courts. After HYDRAA intervened it proved that this is a lake that must be restored and started the work.”Anil kumar, another local resident, expressed gratitude, stating, “When HYDRAA began its work water started surfacing from beneath the sand. Many people fought against the land encroachment, and we are thankfull to the government. This lake has a rich history, and this year, women will use it for Bathukamma immersion.”HYDRAA has taken up rejuvenation of lakes at 5 more places also at Bumrukh Dawala (Old city), Tammidi Kunta behind N convention, Sunnam Cheruvu (Guttala Begumpet,Madhapur), Nalla Cheruvu (Kukatpally) and Nalla Pedda Cheruvu (Uppal to Warangal Highway).Ranganath also released artistic impression of the final shape that the work at Uppal Nalla Cheruvu would take after lake rejuvenation. A.V Ranganath said a total of six lakes will soon undergo restoration work as per the instructions of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. The projects will be funded by HMDA and tenders will be floated soon to begin the work. The detailed project reports are also ready.
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