Hydrologist Arun Krishnamurthy. File
| Photo Credit: By Arrangement
Arun Krishnamurthy, founder of the Environmentalist Foundation of India (EFI) and a hydrologist, on Saturday endorsed the Tirupati Urban Development Authority’s (TUDA) plan to conserve and revive the Avilala tank, a key water body on the city’s outskirts in Andhra Pradesh.During his visit to TUDA, Mr. Krishnamurthy offered suggestions on the plans and estimates drawn up by the Water Resources Department, which will execute the work using TUDA funds. The TUDA board, headed by chairman Divakar Reddy and vice-chairman R. Govindarao, has cleared the necessary sanctions for the project. The work includes restoring the supply channel from Peruru tank to Avilala, which is expected to improve water flow and the ecological balance of the area.TUDA Secretary N.V. Sreekanth Babu said the restoration would cover hydrological revival, aesthetic development and ecological balance. The project aimed to raise groundwater levels in the surrounding wards and cut flood risk during the northeast monsoon, he said.The 187.27-acre tank, which abuts the Chennai–Anantapuram national highway, is being developed on the lines of Hyderabad’s Tank Bund as part of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s plan to position Tirupati as a “City of Lakes and Tanks”. TUDA’s blueprint includes a water sports park, a 2.5-km-long and 14-metre-wide bund, walking, cycling and jogging tracks, play areas for children and statues of historical figures. Published - April 26, 2026 11:19 am IST
