Hyderabad: Bathukamma Kunta, recently restored after years of neglect and encroachments, is set to host the Bathukamma festival on September 25. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy will participate in the celebrations and formally dedicate the rejuvenated lake to the people of Hyderabad.
Ahead of the event, Chief Minister’s Advisor Vennarender Reddy, City Mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi, HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath, GHMC Commissioner RV Karnan, Water Board MD K Ashok Reddy and other senior officials inspected the arrangements at the site on Tuesday.
Lake reclaimed from encroachments
Vennarender Reddy urged officials to ensure that the festival highlights Bathukamma Kunta on the national stage and reviewed plans for upcoming attractions in the area.
Government officials lauded the efforts of Hyderabad police and civic officials in reclaiming the lake from encroachments, clearing construction debris and restoring it as a cultural and ecological landmark.
They recalled how the lake had once turned into a dumping ground and praised the coordinated efforts of the Revenue, Irrigation and GHMC departments in bringing it back to life.
First of six lakes being revived in the city
Commissioner AV Ranganath, who spearheaded the revival efforts, was commended for treating the lake restoration as a ‘yagna.’ Bathukamma Kunta is the first of six lakes being revived in the city under the government’s initiative.
The festival would not only showcase Telangana’s cultural pride but also strengthen the movement for the restoration of more lakes across the city.
Bathukamma festival to be as big as Brazil’s Rio Carnival
The Telangana government plans to celebrate the Bathukamma festival on a scale similar to Brazil’s Rio Carnival. The festival will be celebrated from September 21 to 30 across the entire State.
