Lakes
HMDA
Overview
The Hyderabad lake FTL and buffer zone layer on 1acre displays Full Tank Level boundaries and no-construction buffer distances for lakes across the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) jurisdiction, sourced from HMDA's official data. HMDA has notified 2,569 lakes in the metropolitan region. As of September 2024, FTL and buffer zone notifications had been issued for only approximately 150 of those lakes, with the Telangana High Court ordering HMDA to complete the exercise for all notified lakes. This page covers the legal distances that prohibit construction, which neighbourhoods face active demolition risk, and how to use the 1acre Lakes layer to verify any plot before you commit.
HYDRAA Demolitions and the FTL Trap: Why an HMDA NOC Is No Longer Enough
Lakes / Tanks / Kuntas above 10 hectares
Buffer Zone Distance from FTL / Boundary
30 metres from FTL
Building Permission Possible?
No construction within zone
Lakes / Kuntas below 10 hectares; nalas above 10 m width
Buffer Zone Distance from FTL / Boundary
9 metres from FTL / boundary
Building Permission Possible?
No construction within zone
Canals, vagus, nalas up to 10 m width
Buffer Zone Distance from FTL / Boundary
2 metres from defined boundary
Building Permission Possible?
No construction within zone
Rivers (within UDA limits)
Buffer Zone Distance from FTL / Boundary
50 metres from river boundary
Building Permission Possible?
No construction; HMDA withholds permission up to 100 m
Osman Sagar / Himayat Sagar catchment (G.O. 111)
Buffer Zone Distance from FTL / Boundary
10 km radius catchment area
Building Permission Possible?
Heavy restrictions; industrial and large construction prohibited
Water Body Type
Buffer Zone Distance from FTL / Boundary
Building Permission Possible?
Lakes / Tanks / Kuntas above 10 hectares
30 metres from FTL
No construction within zone
Lakes / Kuntas below 10 hectares; nalas above 10 m width
9 metres from FTL / boundary
No construction within zone
Canals, vagus, nalas up to 10 m width
2 metres from defined boundary
No construction within zone
Rivers (within UDA limits)
50 metres from river boundary
No construction; HMDA withholds permission up to 100 m
Osman Sagar / Himayat Sagar catchment (G.O. 111)
10 km radius catchment area
Heavy restrictions; industrial and large construction prohibited
In the Nalla Cheruvu case at Kukatpally, HYDRAA found the 27-acre lake had 14 acres encroached, with more than 50 structures including apartment buildings in four acres of buffer zone and 25 buildings in three acres of FTL. At Neknampur in Manikonda, four villas from a complex costing approximately Rs 2 crore each were demolished in January 2025 after Manikonda municipality cancelled building permissions that should never have been granted. An HMDA-issued NOC does not override the FTL boundary. If the lake's FTL line runs through the plot, the property is in jeopardy.
Which Hyderabad Neighbourhoods Carry the Highest FTL and Buffer Zone Risk
Kukatpally / Nalla Cheruvu
Documented HYDRAA Action
16 sheds demolished Sep 2024; 4 acres reclaimed
FTL Risk Level
High
Buffer Zone Width
30 m (lake above 10 ha)
Manikonda / Neknampur
Documented HYDRAA Action
4 villas demolished Jan 2025; permissions cancelled
FTL Risk Level
High
Buffer Zone Width
30 m
Madhapur / Kavuri Hills
Documented HYDRAA Action
Sports academy demolished Sep 2024
FTL Risk Level
High
Buffer Zone Width
30 m
Gachibowli
Documented HYDRAA Action
16 illegal structures removed; 6.28 acres reclaimed
FTL Risk Level
Medium-High
Buffer Zone Width
Verify per lake size
Nanakramguda / Medikunta Cheruvu
Documented HYDRAA Action
Commissioner inspection; violations documented
FTL Risk Level
Medium-High
Buffer Zone Width
30 m
Ameenpur / Kistareddypet
Documented HYDRAA Action
25 RCC structures demolished Sep 2024
FTL Risk Level
High
Buffer Zone Width
Verify per lake
Osman Sagar / Himayat Sagar (G.O. 111)
Documented HYDRAA Action
Ongoing restrictions since 1996; 84 villages covered
FTL Risk Level
Very High
Buffer Zone Width
10 km catchment radius
Locality / Lake
Documented HYDRAA Action
FTL Risk Level
Buffer Zone Width
Kukatpally / Nalla Cheruvu
16 sheds demolished Sep 2024; 4 acres reclaimed
High
30 m (lake above 10 ha)
Manikonda / Neknampur
4 villas demolished Jan 2025; permissions cancelled
High
30 m
Madhapur / Kavuri Hills
Sports academy demolished Sep 2024
High
30 m
Gachibowli
16 illegal structures removed; 6.28 acres reclaimed
Medium-High
Verify per lake size
Nanakramguda / Medikunta Cheruvu
Commissioner inspection; violations documented
Medium-High
30 m
Ameenpur / Kistareddypet
25 RCC structures demolished Sep 2024
High
Verify per lake
Osman Sagar / Himayat Sagar (G.O. 111)
Ongoing restrictions since 1996; 84 villages covered
Very High
10 km catchment radius
The most misread zone is the G.O. 111 catchment area around Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar. Covering 84 villages within a 10 km radius of both reservoirs, G.O. 111 prohibits heavy construction and industrial use.
The previous BRS government issued G.O. 69on 12 April 2022to remove the restrictions under G.O. 111 for all 84 villages. The Telangana High Court subsequently directed the state in September 2023 to form a High-Powered Committee before any changes could take effect, and G.O. 111 restrictions remain in force as of the date of writing. Buyers in Gandipet, Tellapur, Chevella Road, and Mokila must confirm G.O. 111 applicability before treating any plotted development there as legally safe.
Data Source & Verification
Source
Official Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) / Lake Protection Committee (LPC) documents
Official Website
https://www.hmda.gov.in
Coordinate Reference System
EPSG:4326 (WGS 84)
Geometry Type
Polygon / MultiPolygon
Data Format
Vector (GeoJSON) + Raster Tiles
Last Verified
2026
Status
Active
Disclaimer
Lakes is only accessible with Premium Subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Hyderabad lake FTL and buffer zone and why does it matter before buying property?
The FTL is a lake's maximum water level. Under G.O.Ms.No.168 (2012), no construction is permitted within 30 metres of the FTL for lakes above 10 hectares, or 9 metres for smaller ones. HYDRAA has been demolishing violations since July 2024.
Can HYDRAA demolish a building that has HMDA or GHMC building approval?
Yes. Documented demolitions in Kukatpally, Manikonda, and Ameenpur involved structures that had prior HMDA or GHMC approvals. Those permissions were cancelled when FTL surveys revealed violations. A valid building permission does not protect a structure inside the FTL or buffer zone.
How do I check if a property in Hyderabad is within an FTL or buffer zone?
Visit lakes.hmda.gov.in, select district, mandal, village, and lake name. Blue lines show FTL boundaries; red lines show buffer zones. The 1acre Hyderabad Lakes layer displays the same HMDA-sourced data directly on a searchable map.
What are G.O. 111 lands and how are they different from FTL buffer zones?
G.O. 111 (1996) restricts development across 84 villages within 10 km of Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar catchments, prohibiting heavy industry and large construction. The previous BRS government issued G.O. 69 in April 2022 to remove these restrictions, but the Telangana High Court directed the state in September 2023 to form a High-Powered Committee before any changes, and G.O. 111 remains in effect.
Which Hyderabad localities have seen the most HYDRAA demolitions?
Confirmed demolition sites from 2024 to 2025 include Nalla Cheruvu in Kukatpally, Neknampur in Manikonda, Kavuri Hills in Madhapur, Kistareddypet and Patelguda in Ameenpur. Durgam Cheruvu, Saroornagar Lake, Nagole Lake, and Peerzadiguda Lake are also in HYDRAA's stated review scope.
Will HYDRAA demolish residential buildings built before July 2024?
HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath stated that residential properties built before July 2024 with valid approvals will not be demolished. Commercial structures face demolition regardless of construction date if inside the FTL or buffer zone. Buildings with cancelled permissions are treated as illegal irrespective of when they were built.
How many lakes in Hyderabad have final FTL notifications issued?
As of 3 September 2024, HMDA had issued final FTL notifications for approximately 150 of its 2,569 notified lakes. The Telangana High Court ordered completion of all notifications by 4 November 2024. HYDRAA has proceeded with enforcement even on lakes with only indicative boundaries.
Does an HMDA-approved layout guarantee the property is outside the FTL and buffer zone?
No. Multiple documented cases show HMDA issued layouts based on irrigation department NOCs that misrepresented FTL boundaries. Independent HYDRAA surveys found overlaps and demolitions followed. Always verify FTL position on lakes.hmda.gov.in directly, independent of any approval documents the seller presents.