One of the major lakes in Balapur mandal, Gurram Cheruvu, has significantly shrunk in size over the past decade. Officially, the lake was declared to cover over 90 acres, but now it has reduced to almost one-third of its original size, leaving only a small portion of the water body.
The rapid growth of residential colonies around the lake, especially on the southern side, has contributed to this shrinkage. Construction has taken place not only beyond the buffer zone but also within the Full Tank Level (FTL) of the lake. A survey conducted by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) in 2014 showed that the water spread area was 38.72 acres, while the entire tank area up to the FTL was 90.69 acres. The lake also has a 789-meter bund, which, when breached, caused severe damage to nearby areas.
In 2020, the lake made headlines when its weir broke due to heavy rainfall and inflows, instead of opening the sluice gates. This caused severe flooding in localities like Hafez Baba Nagar. The floods also affected other nearby areas, including the new colonies in Balapur. A year before, in 2019, a case was registered against a local corporator for allegedly encroaching on the lake. The Tahsildar of Balapur Mandal filed a complaint, claiming that the lake was being filled with gravel and the surface levelled within the FTL. Legal action was taken under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Irrigation Act.
Recently, Dr. Lubna Sarwath, an environmental and social activist, highlighted the issue of lake encroachments in Bandlaguda mandal. She called on the State government and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HYDRA) to use Survey of India maps to identify the true boundaries of the lakes and prevent further encroachments. “During the 2020 floods, many localities were underwater due to the encroachments on lakes and drainage channels. We urge the Chief Minister and HYDRA to compare the current situation with the Survey of India maps and take necessary action,” she said.
