Mystery of a missing sewage treatment plant tells the tale of the lake in Krishnakanth Park

HYDERABAD The lake inside the Krishnakath Park in Yousufguda has come a full circle over the past two decades, before the recent announcement by the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Development Agency (HYDRAA) revealing plans to develop and restore the lake. HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath is taking special interest in expansion of the lake by four times its existing size, in order to impound the storm water that inundates Ameerpet and surrounding localities downstream every time it rains.

Currently restricted to about three acres and divided into three separate ponds with interconnecting canals, the water body is now set to be increased to 12 acres. Work to fell and translocate trees from the park is already underway, with 34 trees marked for felling and 156 for translocation. This initiative will largely reduce the 22-acre park space and drown its lawns, trees, gazebos and other facilities originally established 22 years ago.

The project pivots on the argument that the entire park stands on what was originally a lake.