On March 28, MoU certificates for the 50 lakes were given to real estate development companies which have adopted lakes for development.
HYDERABAD (India CSR): Launching the Lakes Development Programme, Telangana’s Minister of Municipal Administration and Urban Development, K. T. Rama Rao, announced that 50 lakes in Hyderabad, 25 of which belong to GHMC and the rest under HMDA’s jurisdiction, will be rejuvenated with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds from private companies. These real estate development companies have adopted the lakes as part of their CSR initiative and will revamp them under the supervision of GHMC and HMDA.
Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony for Lakes Development Project
During the foundation stone laying ceremony for the restoration and comprehensive development of PeddaCheruvu, MP Dr Ranjith Reddy tweeted about the participation of corporate companies and their commitment to restoring and comprehensively developing 50 lakes in GHMC and HMDA regions.
Additional Amenities to be Provided
In addition to revamping the lakes, the Lakes Development Programme will provide several amenities such as walking tracks, landscaping, open-air gyms, benches, toilets, additional lights for senior citizens, playing areas for children, gazebos, and amphitheaters. These facilities will make the lakes more accessible and convenient for visitors.
Speaking at launch event near Khajaguda Lake, Rao clarified that private players were key stakeholders in the programme, not owners. “When these lakes are rejuvenated, it will raise the price of your projects at per sqft. This is an investment not just in the project, but also towards the city,” Rao told builders, who would be taking up the project.
The minister also said he noticed several private plots within FTL limits. “No construction is possible on these private parcels as GHMC or any local body would not issue permission. Hence, we decided to issue Transferable Development Rights (TDRs) to them. So far, we had issued 183 TDRs across 13 lakes and gained 115 acres,” Rao said. He noted even within Durgam Cheruvu, there are records, showing five to six acres as private land.
“These TDRs are issued at 200 per cent and their documents can be sold at TDR banks to gain value,” Rao added. He also issued directions for the GHMC to ensure that private players developing lakes are not dragged into legal trouble.
During the briefing, Rao declared HMDA as the biggest urban development authority in the country and dismissed Amaravati’s numero uno claim. “Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh was the biggest urban development authority for some days, but all activity has come to a standstill now,” Rao said.
(India CSR)
