The double-deck cruise on the Hussain Sagar lake.
| Photo Credit: BY ARRANGEMENT
Hyderabad is set to add a fresh attraction to its tourism map with the launch of a double-deck cruise on the Hussain Sagar lake. The 120-seater vessel, named Muchukunda, has been built at a cost of ₹2.5 crore and was inaugurated on Saturday. The announcement was made during the Telangana Tourism Conclave held in Hyderabad on the ocassion of World Tourism Day.
The air-conditioned cruise, measuring 22 metres in length, has been designed to provide a leisure experience for people . With spacious seating and panoramic views of the lake, officials said the vessel promises a memorable ride across one of Hyderabad’s most iconic landmarks. The name Muchukunda is drawn from a legend in Hindu mythology.
The double-deck cruise on the Hussain Sagar lake.
Alongside the cruise, the Tourism Conclave also witnessed the launch of several other projects aimed at modernising services and expanding digital adoption in the sector. These include the E-Kiosk system at ticketing and boating units, to be rolled out initially with two machines on a pilot basis. The kiosks are expected to reduce queues, simplify payments, and make transactions seamless for visitors.
The Telangana Tourism, in collaboration with the Architecture and Design Foundation (India), has also launched the country’s first architectural boat tour at Hussain Sagar. Branded as Architecture by the Lake, the initiative aims to present Hyderabad’s rich architectural and developmental journey through a unique storytelling experience.
The guided tour, curated by reputed architects of Hyderabad and specially trained narrators, will showcase 50 key landmarks around the lake. These include historical monuments, contemporary buildings, and ongoing development projects that together reflect the city’s evolving urban landscape. The tours will be conducted every Saturday at 10 a.m., offering both residents and visitors a chance to explore the city’s architectural identity from the vantage point of the lake.
The government also launched the Telangana Tourism Digital Card. This smart card will allow tourists to access multiple services such as monument entry, transport, and guided tours with ease, while also enabling cashless payments. According to Leo1 co-founder Naveesh Reddy, whose firm has partnered in the initiative, the card will also integrate loyalty benefits, discounts, and forex conversion facilities to support both domestic and international visitors, including medical tourists.
Published – September 27, 2025 05:58 pm IST
