TUDA begins Avilala tank restoration, plans revival of 22 water bodies

As part of efforts to transform Tirupati into a City of Tanks and Lakes as envisaged by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, the Tirupati Urban Development Authority(TUDA) has begun involving local communities and seeking public opinion on the project.

TUDA recently cleared about 187 acres of vegetation on the bed of the Avilala tank within a few days, improving accessibility and restoring the surroundings of the water body.

TUDA Chairman C. Divakar Reddy visited the site early on Wednesday and interacted with morning walkers. Residents of nearby colonies welcomed the work, saying it could help improve groundwater recharge in the area.

Mr. Divakar Reddy said efforts were under way to refill the tank by rejuvenating the 5-km supply channel between the Peruru and Avilala tanks. The work would also integrate stormwater management with the Tirupati Municipal Corporation(TMC) as part of measures to make Tirupati more flood resilient.

TUDA Secretary N. V. Sreekanth Babu said technical support was being provided by IIT Tirupati, the Andhra Pradesh Water Resources Department and international agencies such as ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability and KfW Development Bank.

Mr. Divakar Reddy asked TUDA and irrigation engineers to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) on bund formation, desilting and other restoration works for reviving 22 water bodies in and around Tirupati.