HYDERABAD, September 16, 2026: The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has appealed to residents and Ganesh Utsav committees to avoid immersing Ganesh idols in Kapra Lake, citing the waterbody’s ecological importance and its role in flood management and groundwater recharge.
HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath said Kapra Lake, spread across around 113 acres, is being developed with a focus on floodwater retention, groundwater recharge, biodiversity conservation and protection of bird habitats.
The agency has said that Kapra Lake has special ecological significance and has been included in the National Wetlands List. Officials are concerned that large-scale idol immersion could introduce materials and pollutants into the restored waterbody and undermine ongoing conservation efforts.
HYDRAA has been encouraging festival organisers to make use of alternative immersion arrangements, including specially created artificial ponds. According to earlier guidance, idols up to five feet may be immersed in a designated Baby Pond at Kapra Lake.
The appeal comes as Hyderabad prepares for the major Ganesh immersion procession. Senior officials from the police, GHMC, HYDRAA and other departments have already inspected the proposed 19-kilometre procession route from Balapur through Chandrayangutta, Falaknuma, Charminar and MJ Market towards Telugu Talli Flyover.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar has said that around 20,000 police personnel will be deployed across the city on immersion day, with CCTV monitoring and specialised teams supporting security arrangements.
HYDRAA has appealed to devotees and Ganesh Utsav committees to cooperate with the authorities and use designated alternatives so that the festival can be conducted safely while protecting Hyderabad’s important water bodies.