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{{Use British English|date=March 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Durgam Cheruvu
| image = Durgam Cheruvu.jpg
| alt = View of Durgam Cheruvu lake
| caption = Durgam Cheruvu lake
| image_bathymetry =
| alt_bathymetry =
| pushpin_map = India Telangana
| pushpin_map_alt = Location of Durgam Cheruvu lake within Telangana
| caption_bathymetry =
| location =
| coords = {{coord|17.42886|78.387794|region:IN-AP_type:waterbody|display=inline,title}}
| type = [[reservoir (water)|reservoir]]
| inflow =
| outflow =
| catchment =
| basin_countries =
| agency = [[Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority]]
| length =
| width =
| area = {{convert|83|acre}}<ref name="reclaim">{{cite news|title=Mission to reclaim Durgam Cheruvu|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-02-19/hyderabad/28139786_1_land-sharks-patta-lake|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103150454/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-02-19/hyderabad/28139786_1_land-sharks-patta-lake|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 November 2012|access-date=3 October 2010|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=19 February 2010}}</ref>
| depth =
| max-depth = {{convert|28|ft}}<ref name="depth">{{cite news|title=Filth, flood make Durgam Cheruvu stink|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/09/17/stories/2006091714270200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071205111952/http://www.hindu.com/2006/09/17/stories/2006091714270200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 December 2007|access-date=3 October 2010|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=17 September 2006}}</ref>
| volume = {{convert|1679430|m3|acre.ft}}
| residence_time =
| shore =
| elevation =
| frozen =
| islands =
| cities = [[Hyderabad]], India
| reference =
}}

'''Durgam Cheruvu''', also known as Raidurgam Cheruvu, is a freshwater lake located in [[Rangareddy district]], [[Telangana]], India. The lake, which is spread over {{convert|83|acre}}, is located near the city of [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]]. The lake is also known as Secret Lake because it is hidden between the localities of [[Jubilee Hills]] and [[Madhapur]].<ref name="secret">{{cite news|last=S.|first=Bachan Jeet Singh|title=Visiting Durgam Cheruvu? Better get a gas mask first|url=http://expressbuzz.com/Cities/Hyderabad/visiting%20durgam%20cheruvu%20better%20get%20a%20gas%20mask%20first/55939.html|access-date=3 October 2010|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=6 April 2009}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The [[Durgam Cheruvu Bridge]], which traverses the lake, was inaugurated in September 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|others=Special Correspondent|date=2020-09-25|title=Durgam Cheruvu bridge inaugurated|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/durgam-cheruvu-bridge-inaugurated/article32699230.ece|access-date=2021-01-22|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== History ==
Under the rule of the [[Qutub Shahi dynasty]] (ca. 1518–1687), this lake served as the drinking water source for the residents of [[Golkonda fort]].

== Tourism ==
In 2001, the [[Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation|tourism department]] of the [[Government of Andhra Pradesh|local government]] initiated steps to promote the lake as a tourist destination. As a part of this, five boats were to be deployed at the lake.<ref>{{cite news|last=Menon|first=Jayashankar|title=APTDC Introduces Additional Watersports Facilities|url=http://www.expresstravelworld.com/20011231/travelindia4.shtml|access-date=3 October 2010|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=31 December 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710212605/http://www.expresstravelworld.com/20011231/travelindia4.shtml|archive-date=10 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2002, the lake started to become a destination for people who go for fishing as a pastime. Few people from the nearby city of [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]] travel to this lake on the weekends to relax and enjoy fishing.<ref>{{cite news|last=Souvik|first=Chowdhury|title=Hook, line and sinker|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2002/04/09/stories/2002040900380200.htm|access-date=3 October 2010|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=9 April 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206202430/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2002/04/09/stories/2002040900380200.htm|archive-date=6 February 2010|url-status=usurped}}</ref> To capitalise on the visitors, the local agencies expanded their tourism plans by turning the lake into a fishing zone. As a part of the various beautification steps, the area surrounding the lake was illuminated, [[artificial waterfall]]s, a [[rock garden]] and a floating fountain were added. In addition to this, proper seating arrangements, a {{convert|2|km}} walkway and restaurants were established. Adventure activities like [[rock climbing]], [[trekking]], [[rappelling]], an [[art gallery]] and a sculptor park for artists were also introduced as attractions.<ref>{{cite news|title=Durgam Cheruvu turns into anglers' paradise|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-03-26/hyderabad/27281971_1_durgam-cheruvu-lake-aptdc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103150515/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-03-26/hyderabad/27281971_1_durgam-cheruvu-lake-aptdc|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 November 2012|access-date=3 October 2010|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=16 March 2003}}</ref> An amphitheater, with a capacity to hold 1,500 people at a time, was also added for public access. The entire exercise was completed at a cost of {{INRConvert|20|m}}.<ref>{{cite news|last=M. L.|first=Melly Maitreyi|title=New-look Durgam Cheruvu beckons tourists|url=http://www.hindu.com/2003/12/11/stories/2003121111350300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031231053450/http://www.hindu.com/2003/12/11/stories/2003121111350300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 December 2003|access-date=3 October 2010|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=11 December 2003}}</ref>

In 2018, the lake bund was upgraded with walkways as part of CSR activity by K Raheja group.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.krahejacorp.com/csr/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=9 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180530010301/http://www.krahejacorp.com/csr/ |archive-date=30 May 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Controversies and pollution ==
Because of the unique rock formations abutting the lake, it was designated as a protected area. In 2001, the [[Andhra Pradesh High Court|state high court]] issued an order to the [[Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board|local pollution board]] and the city's water supply and sewerage board not to allow development of new residential localities near the lake. Furthermore, the court order also asked these agencies to take immediate steps for prevention or collection and treatment of domestic sewage flowing into the lake from the residential colonies in the vicinity and catchment area of the lake. Despite these notifications, the local agencies have failed in controlling both pollution and illegitimate constructions on the lake bed.<ref name="pollution">{{cite news|last=K.|first=Venkateshwarlu|title=Threat to Durgam Cheruvu|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/11/28/stories/2002112809090300.htm|access-date=3 October 2010|newspaper=The Hindu|date=28 November 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050123141707/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/11/28/stories/2002112809090300.htm|archive-date=23 January 2005|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

To tackle pollution in the lake, sewage treatment plants were set up by the local pollution control board in 2006.<ref>{{cite news|last=M. L.|first=Melly Maitreyi|title=Sewage treatment plants: trial runs next month|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/23/stories/2006082320400300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070429201816/http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/23/stories/2006082320400300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 April 2007|access-date=3 October 2010|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=23 August 2006}}</ref> As years passed by, the plant became non-functional.<ref name="secret"/>

Durgam Cheruvu is now a place to relax. There is an amphitheatre, and the On the Rocks cafeteria. Boating is also available.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aptdc.gov.in/packages/durgam-chervu/book/durgam-cheruvu.html#book/3 |title=Durgam chervu |publisher=Aptdc.gov.in |access-date=2013-12-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210234236/http://www.aptdc.gov.in/packages/durgam-chervu/book/durgam-cheruvu.html#book/3 |archive-date=10 December 2013 |url-status=dead|df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/010818/durgam-cheruvu-now-a-delight-for-walkers-while-lakefront-view-awaits-t.html|title=Durgam Cheruvu now a delight for walkers while Lakefront view awaits to August 15|last=Ghanate|first=Naveena|date=2018-08-01|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en|access-date=2019-05-08}}</ref> A [[Durgam Cheruvu Bridge|cable bridge]] with dancing fountain also adorns the lake.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Early morning at Durgam Cheruvu.jpg|Early morning at Durgum Cheruvu
File:RayaDurgam Cheruvu Masjid.jpg|Masjid at Raya Durgam Cheruvu Bund
File:RayaDurgam Cheruvu Lakefront.jpg|Raya Durgam Cheruvu Lake front
File:Durgam chervu flyover during construction .jpg|Durgam Cheruvu bridge under construction
File:Long Exposure of Cable bridge on Durgam Cheruvu.jpg|Durgam Cheruvu bridge illuminated at night
</gallery>

== References ==
{{Commons category|Durgam Cheruvu}}
{{reflist}}

{{Hyderabad topics}}

[[Category:Lakes of Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:Reservoirs in Telangana]]

Durgam Cheruvu - Revision history

>GreenC bot at 17:47, 24 October 2021