HYDRAA misses lake boundary deadline in Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: Despite repeated assurances, the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has failed to finalise boundaries for even a single lake, raising concerns over encroachments and stalled development works.
Deadline slips amid process gaps
When HYDRAA was formed, its commissioner A.V. Ranganath said lake boundaries would be fixed within a year. He later announced that notifications would begin by November 2025. However, no lake has seen boundary demarcation so far.
Officials say the decision to cross-verify satellite imagery, Survey of India maps and other records to identify lake limits has complicated the process. The absence of clear boundaries is enabling encroachments and delaying HYDRAA’s development works.
Court cases stall works
In Madhapur, development of Sunnam Cheruvu was halted as the Full Tank Level was not notified. After residents approached the court, HYDRAA was directed to finalise the boundary.
In Amberpet, a case is pending over Bathukamma Kunta, even after beautification was completed. Locals say unclear records have left them anxious about the court’s final ruling.
Why the delay
Officials say older satellite images and Survey of India maps show several low-lying areas as water bodies. In some cases, lake extents appear doubled in records, leading to a lack of consensus and delays in notifications.
Status of lakes under HYDRAA:
Total lakes: 600
Boundaries fixed: 51 (five years ago)
Encroached lakes: 225
Completely vanished: 20
‘Will finish by 2026’
HYDRAA Commissioner Ranganath said meetings are being held with officials from the revenue, irrigation and survey departments. “Notifications for 50 lakes will be issued by the end of this month. Subsequently, 50 to 75 lakes will be notified every month. Boundary demarcation for all lakes will be completed by the end of 2026,” he said.
