A.P. government gives ‘in-principle nod’ for ₹750-crore Tirupati climate resilience project
The Andhra Pradesh government has granted in-principle approval for the proposed ₹750-crore project to transform Tirupati into a climate-resilient “City of Lakes and Tanks” by
The Andhra Pradesh government has granted in-principle approval for the proposed ₹750-crore project to transform Tirupati into a climate-resilient “City of Lakes and Tanks” by restoring its traditional water systems and strengthening urban flood management. The project, titled “Climate Resilient Integrated Water Management in Tirupati Urban Development Area”, has been proposed by the Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA) in line with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's vision of reviving the city's historic network of lakes, tanks and natural drainage channels while promoting sustainable urban development, said Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) Principal Secretary S.
Suresh Kumar on Thursday. “Tirupati's interconnected water bodies once played a crucial role in flood moderation, groundwater recharge and maintaining ecological balance. However, rapid urbanisation, encroachments, siltation, sewage inflows and the loss of natural interlinkages have weakened the system, with the devastating floods of November 2021 exposing the city's vulnerability to extreme rainfall,” he added. The project proposes an integrated approach that includes rejuvenating about 25 lakes and tanks, restoring natural water cascades, strengthening bunds, sluices and interlinking channels, desilting water bodies, preventing pollution and creating blue-green public infrastructure.
The Avilala tank has been identified as a priority, with plans to develop it on the lines of Hyderabad's Tank Bund. The estimated project cost includes ₹250 crore each for water body rejuvenation and integrated stormwater management, while the remaining ₹250 crore will cover contingencies, administrative expenses, studies, DPR preparation and allied requirements. The government also plans to seek concessional external assistance of about ₹500 crore (EUR 50 million) from Germany's KfW Development Bank under the Government of India's Externally Aided Projects framework. Suresh Kumar said that the approval enables TUDA to begin detailed project preparation, including hydrological studies, environmental assessments, financial appraisal and stakeholder consultations.
He clarified that the present approval was limited to project preparation and appraisal, while implementation will proceed only after statutory clearances, financial approvals and detailed project reports were completed. TUDA has been directed to coordinate with all concerned departments and complete the DPR and financial tie-up within six months.
The BriefWire