Prisons Department, HYDRAA and IOCL team up to restore Cherlapalli Lake

The Telangana Prisons Department, HYDRAA and IOCL on Tuesday launched the Cherlapalli Lake Restoration and Development Project with the performance of Bhumi Pooja, marking the beginning of restoration works aimed at improving water conservation, environmental sustainability and the lake’s long-term management.

The project is being implemented by the Telangana Prisons Department in collaboration with HYDRAA, with financial support from Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

The programme was inaugurated by Soumya Mishra, Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, in the presence of Uppal MLA Bandari Lakshma Reddy, senior prison officials, Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) representatives, IOCL officials, consultants, local residents and inmates from the Open Air Prison.

The restoration works will include cleaning the lake inlet and surrounding areas, constructing a silt collection chamber to prevent sediment inflow, restoring the inlet channel to improve water flow, strengthening the lake embankment with gravel to prevent erosion and installing solar lighting along the pathway on the lake bund.

The lake premises were also declared a plastic-free zone as part of efforts to promote sustainable lake management.

The Telangana Prisons Department on Tuesday launched the Cherlapalli Lake Restoration and Development Project with the performance of Bhumi Pooja on Tuesday
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By Arrangement

Speaking at the event, Mishra said restoring lakes was essential for ensuring water security, improving groundwater recharge and protecting the environment. She said the rejuvenated Cherlapalli Lake would benefit nearby residential colonies, the Prison Agricultural Colony and Cherlapalli Central Prison by providing a sustainable source of water for agriculture, fish ponds, livestock activities and the maintenance of greenery within the prison campus.

She said inmates of the Open Air Prison would actively participate in the restoration work, enabling them to acquire vocational skills while fostering self-esteem, responsibility and confidence. She added that suitable inmates could also be considered for employment in lake protection and security after their release, supporting their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

The official announced that CCTV cameras would be installed around the lake and integrated with Cherlapalli Central Prison for continuous monitoring and protection of the restored water body.