Madhapur: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy inaugurated the beautifully restored Thammidikunta Lake at Khanamet in the Madhapur division, near the prominent Hitec City area, on Wednesday. On the occasion, he announced that all necessary permissions had been secured for the ambitious Musi River rejuvenation project and that the tendering process would begin shortly. He said the government would take up the rejuvenation of the first 21 km stretch of the 55-km-long Musi River as part of its efforts to restore the river and protect the future of Hyderabad.
The programme was attended by noted film actor Akkineni Nagarjuna as the distinguished guest.
Addressing the gathering, Revanth Reddy said the government was committed to protecting Hyderabad’s lakes and reclaiming encroached water bodies, irrespective of the challenges involved. He stressed that the Musi rejuvenation initiative was not merely a beautification project but a comprehensive effort to restore the river, reduce pollution and safeguard the interests of future generations.
“I decided to take up the Musi rejuvenation project with a firm commitment. When the intention is good and the decision benefits future generations, we must move forward. My decision is not driven by personal interests or anger towards anyone. My only objective is to protect nature,” the Chief Minister said.
He acknowledged that the restoration of Thammidikunta Lake had involved certain difficult circumstances and that some people might have been inconvenienced by the government’s decisions. However, he maintained that the initiative would provide lasting benefits to future generations.
The Chief Minister particularly appreciated actor Akkineni Nagarjuna for voluntarily contributing two acres of land towards the restoration and expansion of the lake. He said the lake, which originally covered around 14 acres, had been expanded to approximately 30 acres and transformed into an attractive public space. Praising Nagarjuna’s gesture, Revanth Reddy said the actor had proved himself to be a hero not only on screen but also in real life through his generous contribution to society.
He also thanked Nagarjuna for attending the inauguration despite his busy schedule and said the government had already announced in the Legislative Assembly that individuals who voluntarily contribute to public development projects would be honoured. Accordingly, Nagarjuna was felicitated with a shawl during the programme.
Explaining the importance of water bodies in Hyderabad, the Chief Minister said the city was historically known for its lakes and distinctive rock formations. Hyderabad once had around 1,372 lakes, but nearly 50 per cent of them had disappeared over the years due to encroachments, unplanned urbanisation and administrative neglect.
He said the government was taking steps to restore nearly 20 lakes, including Thammidikunta, Bathukamma Kunta, Bum-Rukn-ud-Dowla, Sunnam Cheruvu, Nalla Cheruvu, Fox Sagar and Miyapur Lake. He pointed out that several lakes, which were originally spread across 10 acres to nearly 500 acres, had been reduced due to encroachments.
Referring to recurring urban flooding and traffic congestion during heavy rains, Revanth Reddy said people must understand the consequences of occupying natural water bodies and drainage channels. “When we occupy the places where water is supposed to flow and accumulate, water enters the places where we live. As a result, entire families in low-lying colonies are forced onto the roads,” he observed.
Recalling the devastating floods of 1908, the Chief Minister said thousands of people had lost their lives, prompting the then Nizam government to seek the services of renowned engineer Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya. Following his recommendations, Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar reservoirs were constructed and completed by 1920. Even after a century, these reservoirs continue to serve Hyderabad’s drinking water needs.
He said the Musi Riverfront had also flourished during the Nizam era, with several historic structures, including Puranapul Bridge, City College, the High Court, Osmania General Hospital and the British Residency, developing along its banks. However, successive governments failed to give the river the attention it deserved, resulting in severe pollution and deterioration.
Expressing concern over the impact of Musi pollution on people in Nalgonda district, the Chief Minister said the river had become a serious threat to public health and agriculture. He recalled personally visiting the affected areas and interacting with farmers, who expressed anguish over the contamination of their water resources. He said the district was already facing fluoride-related problems and was now also suffering from pollution caused by the Musi.
Referring to riverfront development initiatives in other parts of the country, including the Sabarmati Riverfront, the Ganga in Uttar Pradesh and the Yamuna in Delhi, he said river-based civilisations had historically played a major role in economic and social development. He also cited South Korea as an example of how riverfront development could support round-the-clock economic activity.
Revanth Reddy reiterated that the Musi project was primarily aimed at river rejuvenation and pollution control rather than beautification. He assured that the government would take responsibility for protecting and rehabilitating anyone affected by the project and appealed to political leaders across party lines to extend their cooperation.
He described the restoration of Thammidikunta Lake as an important initiative not only for reducing pollution but also for improving groundwater levels. He appreciated all those who had contributed to the project and stressed that proper maintenance was essential to prevent the lake from returning to its previous condition.
The Chief Minister directed the Cyberabad Municipal Commissionerate, in coordination with women associated with Indira Mahila Shakti, to ensure the lake’s effective maintenance. He proposed developing a lake-based economy by establishing Mahila Shakti stalls and encouraging small-scale economic activities around the lake.
He further said the restored lake should become a centre for preserving local culture and traditions. People who had migrated from villages to the city should have a suitable public space to celebrate festivals such as Dussehra, Deepavali and Sankranti. He also suggested planting a Jammi tree on the premises as part of preserving cultural traditions.
The programme was presided over by PAC Chairman and Serilingampally MLA Arekapudi Gandhi. Akkineni Nagarjuna attended as the distinguished guest. MPs Anil Kumar Yadav, Vem Narender Reddy, Konda Vishweshwar Reddy and Kunduru Raghuveer Reddy, Planning Board Vice-Chairperson Gadwal Vijayalakshmi, Legislative Council Whip Patnam Mahender Reddy, several public representatives, HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath and senior officials were among those present.
