After nearly two decades of remaining dry, Bathukamma Kunta in Amberpet is finally showing signs of life, with water now visible in the long-neglected pond. The Hyderabad Disaster Response & Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), which took up the restoration of six lakes including Bathukamma Kunta, has shared the first visuals of the rejuvenated water body.

Rejuvenation efforts began in February, when HYDRAA’s excavation work revealed substantial groundwater, reinforcing claims of a historical lake at the site. Although a legal challenge questioned the presence of a lake, the city civil court ruled in HYDRAA’s favor in late April, allowing the work to progress swiftly.

Currently, the area resembles a manicured artificial pond, bordered by walking tracks and filled with stagnant greenish water. The agency clarified that this water is a mix of groundwater and stormwater from nearby localities, with sewage successfully diverted away. However, the outlet channel connecting the pond to the Musi River is still under construction, facing logistical challenges due to dense development in the area.

HYDRAA chief A.V. Ranganath said the rejuvenation work is in full swing and is expected to be completed by September. Once the outlet is ready, the pond will receive a consistent flow of fresh water, enhancing both its ecological and aesthetic value.

Bathukamma Kunta is among six lakes being revived, including Bam Rukn-ud-Daula, Thammidikunta, Sunnam Cheruvu, and two Nalla Cheruvus located in Uppal and Kukatpally.

Historical records, including a 2013 survey by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), identified the lake’s full tank level (FTL) perimeter at approximately 1.4 kilometers. Despite this, the lake remained dry for years, with satellite imagery showing no water even during the heavy floods of 2020.

Encroachments have significantly reduced the original lake area, with buildings and other structures seen in satellite visuals. The Lake Protection Committee formed in 2010 under HMDA made little progress in securing the lake, and a formal notification is still pending.

The rejuvenation effort by HYDRAA marks a step forward in restoring one of Hyderabad’s lost water bodies, though it currently represents only a fraction of what once existed.