Hyderabad builders to adopt lakes within 500 meter of all projects

Real estate developers would henceforth have to take care of any lake or water body within 500 meters of their planned layout or mega projects. This will now be made mandatory while granting permission for ventures in Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) region.

The new plan by the state government is meant to protect lakes by making developers responsible for it. There are nearly 3,100 lakes in the metropolitan region.

Municipal minister KT Rama Rao, who held a review meeting with officials on Tuesday, directed officials to involve developers for lake protection and improvement of greenery near their ventures. The municipal administration is also planning to rope in all real estate and developers’ associations for protection of lakes in the city.

On Tuesday the special chief secretary (municipal administration) Arvind Kumar told TOI, “The minister advised that CREDAI as well as builders who have projects adjacent to lakes should be asked to maintain them as it leads to improvement in ambience also.”

While for some lakes in HMDA region the full tank level (FTL) was finalized and protection measures such as fencing taken up, many lakes’ FTL was yet to be identified by both revenue and irrigation departments. In GHMC limits, the municipal administration had taken up beautification of lakes in a phased manner. Officials said that this measure would not only ensure protection of lakes, but also lead to beautification of the surrounding areas.

The HMDA said new norms would be applicable to all types of developments and permissions for layouts, multi-storey buildings, gated communities and commercial complexes.

The officials said that in many ventures the sewerage was getting into nearby lakes illegally, which had to be prevented. The developers would be asked to construct walkways and develop greenery, which would also help in improving the water quality of the lakes, Arvind Kumar said.