HYDRAA launches massive restoration of 129-year-old Fox Sagar Lake; plans mini tank bund in Hyderabad

Spread across approximately 500 acres, Fox Sagar Lake has suffered from extensive encroachments, sewage contamination and silt accumulation over the decades. According to HYDRAA, nearly 150 acres have been identified as encroached land, while approximately five metres of accumulated silt have significantly reduced the lake's storage capacity.

The restoration project aims to increase the lake's water-holding capacity fourfold, from the existing 1,000 million litres to 4,000 million litres. HYDRAA intends to complete the transformation within a year, developing the lake into a mini Tank Bund with improved public infrastructure and recreational facilities.

A major component of the project involves large-scale desilting and the establishment of a sewage treatment plant (STP) to prevent untreated sewage and industrial waste from entering the lake. The restoration will also focus on strengthening flood management infrastructure and developing a ring road around the water body.

Special attention will be given to preserving the lake's historical significance. The stone pump house, constructed in 1897, will be restored with technical assistance from European experts, combining heritage conservation with modern environmental management.

HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath clarified that residential houses constructed before July 19, 2024, would not be demolished as part of the restoration drive. He also stated that eligible landowners affected by the project would receive Transferable Development Rights (TDR) in accordance with applicable regulations.

To assess the environmental impact of the restoration, the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) will conduct water quality tests on the lake and surrounding groundwater before and after the project.

HYDRAA has set a target of preparing Fox Sagar Lake to receive and store rainwater by the next monsoon season. The initiative is expected to improve groundwater recharge, strengthen flood resilience and restore an important ecological asset in Hyderabad's rapidly urbanising northern corridor.

The project represents another major step in HYDRAA's efforts to reclaim and rejuvenate Hyderabad's historic lakes while balancing environmental conservation, heritage preservation and urban development.