HMDA procures amphibious excavator to restore Hyderabad lakes

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority has procured a Rs 2.87 crore amphibious excavator to support lake restoration works, including desilting, dredging and weed removal. The machine will also assist in managing idol immersions during major festivals.

Hyderabad: To enhance lake restoration and maintenance activities, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has procured a state-of-the-art amphibious excavator at Rs 2.87 crore.

The HMDA said in an official release that the amphibious excavator was specifically designed for operations in waterlogged and marshy areas and was to be extensively used for desilting of tank beds, dredging operations, bund strengthening, aquatic weed removal, debris and sludge removal, and restoration of old tanks. It was to play a key role in improving the condition of Hussain Sagar Lake.

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The machinery was also to be effectively utilised during major festivals, immersion of idols such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga Puja, Bathukamma, and Chhath Puja, ensuring smooth management of idol immersions and related activities.

For efficient operation and maintenance, the excavator will be deployed with one skilled operator and one semi-skilled operator per shift, along with service engineer support on a visit basis, it said.

The initiative aimed at sustainable urban lake management and environmental conservation in Hyderabad was flagged off by Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Monday.