HYDRAA FTL Survey Numbers - Hyderabad Lake FTL Survey List

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HYDRAA FTL Lake Directory

Search 2,978 HMDA-notified lakes · Download 1,600+ official FTL & Cadastral boundary maps (with affected survey numbers) · HYDRAA Risk Assessment

Major Hyderabad Lakes with Notified FTL Boundaries

HYDRAA, HMDA and the Telangana Irrigation Department maintain FTL boundaries for lakes and water bodies within the Hyderabad Metropolitan Area. The official FTL-affected survey numbers for each lake are recorded on its cadastral FTL boundary map, not as a public machine-readable list — use the search above to locate a notified lake, then obtain its FTL map to confirm specific survey numbers. The following are major lakes where FTL boundaries have been notified and encroachments demolished:

Hussain Sagar

One of Hyderabad's iconic lakes. FTL boundary affects survey numbers in Khairatabad, Begumpet, Secunderabad, and NTR Marg areas. Multiple encroachments demolished by HYDRAA in 2024-2025.

Durgam Cheruvu

Located in the IT corridor (Madhapur/Hitech City). FTL zone extends into Jubilee Hills, Madhapur, and Kondapur. High-value properties at risk in this zone.

Himayat Sagar

Major drinking water reservoir with a large catchment area. FTL boundary covers extensive survey numbers in Rajendranagar, Shamshabad, and surrounding mandals. Strict HMWSSB protection zone.

Osman Sagar (Gandipet)

Protected drinking water source with a 10 km restriction zone. Survey numbers in Gandipet, Mokila, Chevella, and Shankarpally areas are affected by FTL and buffer restrictions.

Safilguda Lake

Located in Malkajgiri zone. FTL zone extends into Safilguda, Neredmet, and ECIL areas. Multiple unauthorized constructions identified by HYDRAA drone surveys.

Kapra Lake

One of the larger lakes in the eastern corridor. FTL boundary impacts survey numbers in Kapra, Nacharam, and Uppal areas. Rapid urbanization has caused significant encroachment.

How FTL Surveys Are Determined

The FTL (Full Tank Level) boundary is the maximum water spread area of a lake when it is at full capacity. Survey numbers within this boundary are identified through:

  • Revenue Survey Records: Cadastral maps maintained by the Revenue Department show historical FTL boundaries. These maps date back to the British era and Nizam period, recording original water body extents.
  • Irrigation Department Records: The Telangana Irrigation Department maintains FTL levels for all major and minor irrigation tanks. Each lake has an officially recorded FTL elevation (in meters above sea level).
  • HYDRAA Drone Surveys: Since 2024, HYDRAA has been using drone-based aerial surveys and satellite imagery to map current FTL boundaries and identify encroachments within the zone.
  • Bhu Bharati Land Classification: Revenue records on Bhu Bharati classify land as "Shikam" (tank bed), "Cheruvu" (lake), or "Government Land — Water Body" to indicate FTL-affected parcels.
  • HMDA Master Plan: The HMDA Revised Master Plan marks water bodies, FTL zones, and buffer zones as "Conservation" areas where no construction is permitted.

What To Do If Your Survey Number Is in FTL Zone

Immediate Steps for Property Buyers

  • Do not proceed with purchase — If a survey number appears in any FTL list, halt the transaction immediately. No bank will finance such property, and registration may be blocked.
  • Verify with Revenue Department — Get an official FTL boundary certificate from the Tahsildar's office. This is the definitive document confirming FTL status.
  • Check Section 22-A (Prohibited List) — FTL lands are often listed as prohibited properties on IGRS and Bhu Bharati. Use our Prohibited Property Check tool.
  • Physical survey verification — Engage a licensed surveyor to physically measure the distance between your plot boundary and the FTL boundary on the ground.
  • Check building permission status — Even if a structure exists, verify if valid GHMC/HMDA building permission was obtained. Unauthorized structures in FTL are subject to HYDRAA demolition.

Related Telangana Property Tools

HYDRAA Risk Assessment

Comprehensive risk check for HYDRAA zones, FTL, buffer, and encroachment status

HMDA Lakes Proximity

Check proximity of your property to HMDA-protected lakes and water bodies

Nala Buffer Zone Check

Verify storm water drain proximity and buffer zone restrictions

Musi River Flood Zone

Check if your property is in the Musi River flood plain

HYDRAA FTL Survey Numbers — Understanding Lake Protection Zones in Hyderabad

What is HYDRAA and Why Does FTL Matter?

HYDRAA — the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency — was established by the Telangana government to protect lakes, water bodies, nalas, and public assets from illegal encroachment. Since its formation in 2024, HYDRAA has demolished hundreds of unauthorized structures built within FTL (Full Tank Level) zones of Hyderabad's lakes. The FTL is the maximum water spread area of a lake or tank, and any construction within this boundary is illegal under the Telangana Water, Land and Trees Act (WALTA) and the Municipal Corporation Acts.

For property buyers in Hyderabad, verifying whether a survey number falls within the FTL zone of any nearby lake is now the single most critical due diligence step. Properties in FTL zones cannot be legally registered, mortgaged, or insured. Even if a building exists and has been occupied for years, HYDRAA can demolish it if it falls within FTL boundaries.

How FTL Boundaries Are Defined in Telangana

Every lake and water body in Telangana has an officially recorded FTL elevation, measured in meters above mean sea level. This elevation was historically determined by the Irrigation Department based on the maximum water holding capacity of the lake at its designed spillway level. The FTL boundary is the contour line at this elevation around the lake — all land at or below this elevation falls within FTL.

In revenue records, FTL land is classified under various categories including Shikam land (tank bed), Cheruvu (lake), and Government land — water body. However, over decades of urbanization, many lakes were partially or fully encroached, and revenue records were sometimes illegally mutated to show private ownership. HYDRAA's mandate includes restoring these original FTL boundaries based on historical survey records and satellite imagery analysis.

Scale of the FTL Issue in Hyderabad

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has identified over 3,100 lakes and water bodies within its jurisdiction, spread across Hyderabad, Rangareddy, Medchal-Malkajgiri, and Sangareddy districts. Of these, a significant number have been partially or fully encroached over the decades. The HYDRAA FTL survey number list covers thousands of individual survey numbers across the metropolitan area.

Key statistics about Hyderabad's lake protection:

  • 3,100+ lakes identified within HMDA limits
  • Hussain Sagar and Osman Sagar — the two most iconic lakes with extensive FTL zones
  • 185 lakes declared as heritage lakes by HMDA with additional buffer zone protection
  • 30-meter buffer zone mandated beyond FTL for all lakes within GHMC limits
  • Multiple HYDRAA demolition drives conducted since 2024 targeting FTL encroachments

How to Cross-Verify FTL Status Before Buying Property

A thorough FTL verification involves checking multiple sources:

  1. Revenue Records (Bhu Bharati): Check the land classification on Pahani/ROR-1B. Look for "Shikam", "Cheruvu", "Government Land", or "Water Body" classifications. Use our Pahani Search tool.
  2. IGRS Prohibited List: FTL survey numbers are often listed under Section 22-A. Check using our Prohibited Property Check.
  3. HMDA Master Plan: Verify the zoning of the survey number on the HMDA Master Plan. FTL zones are marked as "Conservation" or "Water Body" zones.
  4. Irrigation Department: Request an FTL certificate from the Irrigation Department's Executive Engineer office for the nearest lake.
  5. Physical Survey: Engage a licensed surveyor to physically verify the survey number boundaries against the FTL contour on the ground.

Legal Framework for FTL Protection in Telangana

Multiple laws protect FTL zones in Telangana:

  • WALTA Act (Water, Land and Trees Act), 2002: Prohibits encroachment on water bodies and mandates a buffer zone around all lakes
  • GHMC Act: Empowers GHMC to deny building permission within FTL and buffer zones
  • HMDA Act: Gives HMDA authority to protect lakes within the metropolitan area
  • GO 111 (for Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar): Historically banned construction within 10 km of these two drinking water reservoirs. Though relaxed in 2023, FTL protection still applies.
  • Telangana Tank Protection Act: Specific legislation for protecting irrigation tanks and their catchment areas

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Full Tank Level (FTL) and why does it matter for property buyers in Hyderabad?

Full Tank Level (FTL) is the maximum water level a lake or tank can hold when completely full. It is measured as an elevation (in meters above mean sea level) and defines the maximum water spread area of the lake. HYDRAA (Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency) uses FTL boundaries to determine which survey numbers fall within the protected lake zone. Any construction within FTL is considered illegal encroachment and is subject to demolition without court order. For property buyers, this means any land within FTL cannot be legally purchased, registered, or mortgaged — making FTL verification the most critical check before buying property near any water body in Hyderabad.

How are FTL survey numbers determined for Hyderabad lakes?

FTL survey numbers are determined through a combination of historical revenue records, irrigation department data, and modern technology. The Telangana Revenue Department maintains cadastral maps that show original lake boundaries and FTL contours from the Nizam era and British survey periods. The Irrigation Department records the FTL elevation for each lake. HYDRAA supplements these records with satellite imagery analysis (comparing historical satellite images with current land use), drone-based aerial surveys for precise boundary mapping, and ground-level surveys by revenue officials. All survey numbers that fall wholly or partially within the FTL contour are classified as FTL-affected. In Bhu Bharati revenue records, these are typically classified as "Shikam" (tank bed), "Cheruvu" (lake), or "Government Land."

What happens if my property survey number is in the HYDRAA FTL list?

If your survey number falls within the FTL zone, the consequences are severe: (1) Any construction on that land is considered illegal encroachment — HYDRAA has the authority to demolish such structures, (2) The property cannot be legally registered for sale or transfer at the sub-registrar office, (3) Banks and financial institutions will not provide home loans or mortgages, (4) GHMC and HMDA will not issue building permission, (5) Property insurance companies will not cover such properties, (6) If the land is already registered in your name, you may face legal proceedings for encroachment. The only recourse is to not purchase such property. If you already own it, consult a property lawyer about your options.

Which are the major lakes in Hyderabad with FTL survey number lists?

Hyderabad has over 3,100 lakes and water bodies within HMDA limits. Major lakes where FTL survey numbers have been publicly identified include: Hussain Sagar (Khairatabad, Begumpet), Durgam Cheruvu (Madhapur, Jubilee Hills), Himayat Sagar (Rajendranagar), Osman Sagar / Gandipet (Gandipet, Mokila), Safilguda Lake (Malkajgiri), Kapra Lake (Kapra, Nacharam), Pedda Cheruvu Miyapur, Lotus Pond (Banjara Hills), Langar Houz Lake, Erram Manzil Lake, Fox Sagar (Quthbullapur), Ameenpur Lake (Ameenpur, designated Ramsar Wetland), and hundreds of smaller tanks and kuntas spread across all zones of Hyderabad.

How can I verify if my survey number is safe from HYDRAA FTL action?

Follow this 5-step verification process: (1) Check FTL survey lists — Search for your survey number in the FTL survey list of nearby lakes using this tool or HMDA records, (2) Verify Bhu Bharati records — Use our Pahani Search to check land classification — if it shows "Shikam", "Cheruvu", or "Government Land (Water Body)", do not proceed, (3) Check Section 22-A prohibited list — Use our Prohibited Property Check to verify if the survey number is blocked for registration, (4) Verify HMDA Master Plan zoning — Ensure the plot is not in a "Conservation" or "Water Body" zone, (5) Get a physical survey — Hire a licensed surveyor to physically verify the distance from the nearest lake's FTL boundary. Only proceed if all 5 checks are clear.