Durgam Cheruvu
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Durgam Cheruvu, also known as Raidurgam Cheruvu, is a freshwater lake located in Rangareddy district,
Telangana Telangana is a States and union territories of India, state in India situated in the Southern India, south-central part of the Indian subcontinent on the high Deccan Plateau. It is the List of states and union territories of India by area, ele ...
, India. The lake, which is spread over , is located near the city of
Hyderabad Hyderabad is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Telangana. It occupies on the Deccan Plateau along the banks of the Musi River (India), Musi River, in the northern part of Southern India. With an average altitude of , much ...
. The lake is also known as Secret Lake because it is hidden between the localities of
Jubilee Hills Jubilee Hills is an affluent suburban neighbourhood in the western part of Hyderabad, Telangana. It is one of the most expensive commercial and residential locations in India with prime land prices fetching up to []. A tract of land in the cit ...
, Madhapur and Raidurg. The Durgam Cheruvu Bridge, which traverses the lake, was inaugurated in September 2020.


History

Under the rule of the Qutub Shahi dynasty (ca. 1518–1687), this lake served as the drinking water source for the residents of Golconda Fort.


Species Diversity

As of June 2024, there are 149 bird species recorded at Durgam Cheruvu on eBird.


Tourism

In 2001, the tourism department of the
local government Local government is a generic term for the lowest tiers of governance or public administration within a particular sovereign state. Local governments typically constitute a subdivision of a higher-level political or administrative unit, such a ...
initiated steps to promote the lake as a tourist destination. As a part of this, five boats were to be deployed at the lake. In 2002, the lake started to become a destination for people who go for fishing as a pastime. Few people from the nearby city of
Hyderabad Hyderabad is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Telangana. It occupies on the Deccan Plateau along the banks of the Musi River (India), Musi River, in the northern part of Southern India. With an average altitude of , much ...
travel to this lake on the weekends to relax and enjoy fishing. To capitalise on the visitors, the local agencies expanded their tourism plans by turning the lake into a fishing zone. As a part of the various beautification steps, the area surrounding the lake was illuminated, artificial waterfalls, a rock garden and a floating fountain were added. In addition to this, proper seating arrangements, a walkway and restaurants were established. Adventure activities like
rock climbing Rock climbing is a climbing sports discipline that involves ascending climbing routes, routes consisting of natural rock in an outdoor environment, or on artificial resin climbing walls in a mostly indoor environment. Routes are documented in c ...
, trekking, rappelling, an art gallery and a sculptor park for artists were also introduced as attractions. An amphitheater, with a capacity to hold 1,500 people at a time, was also added for public access. The entire exercise was completed at a cost of . In 2018, the lake bund was upgraded with walkways as part of CSR activity by K Raheja group.


Durgam Cheruvu Lake Front Park

The lake front park was inaugurated on August 28, 2018 by Mr. K. T. Rama Rao.


Durgam Cheruvu Cable Bridge

The Durgam Cheruvu Cable Bridge is an extradosed bridge in Hyderabad. It links
Jubilee Hills Jubilee Hills is an affluent suburban neighbourhood in the western part of Hyderabad, Telangana. It is one of the most expensive commercial and residential locations in India with prime land prices fetching up to []. A tract of land in the cit ...
to Madhapur and HITEC City, Hitech City.


Controversies and pollution

Because of the unique rock formations abutting the lake, it was designated as a protected area. In 2001, the state high court issued an order to the local pollution board and the city's water supply and sewerage board not to allow development of new residential localities near the lake. Furthermore, the court order also asked these agencies to take immediate steps for prevention or collection and treatment of domestic sewage flowing into the lake from the residential colonies in the vicinity and catchment area of the lake. Despite these notifications, the local agencies have failed in controlling both pollution and illegitimate constructions on the lake bed. To tackle pollution in the lake, sewage treatment plants were set up by the local pollution control board in 2006. As years passed by, the plant became non-functional. A separate sewerage treatment plant (STP) was set up at Durgam Cheruvu by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, after Government of Telangana approved it in 2022. Durgam Cheruvu is now a place to relax. There is an amphitheatre, and the On the Rocks cafeteria. Boating is also available. A cable bridge with dancing fountain also adorns the lake.


Gallery

File:Early morning at Durgam Cheruvu.jpg, Early morning at Durgum Cheruvu File:RayaDurgam Cheruvu Masjid.jpg, Masjid at Raya Durgam Cheruvu Bund File:RayaDurgam Cheruvu Lakefront.jpg, Raya Durgam Cheruvu Lake front File:Durgam chervu flyover during construction .jpg, Durgam Cheruvu bridge under construction File:Long Exposure of Cable bridge on Durgam Cheruvu.jpg, Durgam Cheruvu bridge illuminated at night File:Meet the evil side of Hitech skyline (4281610065).jpg, Durgam Cheruvu near
HITEC City The Hyderabad Information Technology and Engineering Consultancy City (HITEC City) is an Indian business district, financial business district located in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. HITEC City is spread across of land under the suburbs of Ma ...
being slowly encroached by expanding city File:Raidurgam bridge after construction.jpg, Durgam Cheruvu bridge after construction


References

{{Hyderabad topics Lakes of Hyderabad, India Reservoirs in Telangana