HYDERABAD: Recent heavy rains have partly flooded the 10-acre area between Jalavihar and PV Ghat alongside the Hussainsagar, where the HMDA is developing a lakefront park as an added attraction at an estimated cost of Rs 8 crore.
As a result, the possibility of regular flooding will have to be factored in while finalising the park’s design. A Mumbai-based consultant has been chosen to prepare the design for the park, including landscaping, specifications and detailed estimates. The consultant is yet to submit the report, while the government had sanctioned '15 crore for the project on May 25, 2018.
The park is to have elevated walkways with underpasses, pedestrian trails, three-metre wide walkways, water channel deck with seating, glass deck, children’s play area, pergolas with seating and illuminated light sculptures at focal points.
A ropeway over Hussainsagar has been planned from Sailing Club to Lumbini Park. The ropeway will provide visitors a closer look of the monolithic Buddha statue. Additionally, HMDA had planned an underwater aquarium.
Work on the project had got delayed earlier due to lockdown following the Coronavirus pandemic and its second wave. Now, heavy rains have led to excess water entering the proposed development areas, which poses a challenge to safety of visitors.
An HMDA official said: “Addressing the issue of flooding will be given utmost priority. Once the project is completed, its elevated ropeway will be a major attraction. Already, beautiful plants have been grown on the three-and-half acres of land at PV Ghat. HMDA has undertaken flower beds, pathways, hedges, landscaping and footbridge works at a cost of Rs 41 lakh", he added.
