The Osman Sagar Lake is one of the places in the traditionally important land of Hyderabad. This is an artificial lake planned to be made by the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Osman Ali Khan and hence was named after him. The Osman Sagar Lake was born in 1908 when floods wrecked the city. To avoid more flooding and also to serve as a water resource, the Nizam ordered for the damming of the Musi River.
Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya Indian engineer built this Gandipet Lake. 58 Lacks was spent to build this Reservoir at that time.
The lake is extended over an area of 46 square kilometers and the reservoir covers an area of 29 square kilometers. The most recent measurement recorded the lake to be 1769.8 feet deep.
The area around the Osman Sagar Lake is very well known as ‘Gandipet’. The fresh gentle breeze near the lake has been attracting visitors from the past just like it does today. The luxuriant green garden adjacent to the lake also provides a comforting effect. The locals of Hyderabad as well as the tourists visit this place to beat the scorching heat during summers. Summer or winter, Gandipet sees mass of visitors every day and at most times. Cheerful picnickers and holiday makers visit the Osman Sagar Lake with their picnic baskets and mats and games. The children joyfully play around while the elders can sit back, chat and relax in the calm gentle wind. There is also a small cafeteria where the vendors also earn their bread by selling hot coffee, tea and snacks.
People swimming here soon after the monsoons are also a common sight. Boating services are also available after monsoons. Tourists crowd the Osman Sagar as the reservoirs are full and an added attraction being the swimming pool.
A resort by name Sagar Mahal is a nice place for those who wish to stay longer at the Osman Sagar. Nizam Osman Ali Khan had this princely summer resort built around the lake. It is now a heritage location that also offers accommodation and food for the visitors. The view of the Gandipet Lake from the Sagar Mahal is believed to be great. The Hyderabad Tourism Department run the resort and manages the lake and gardens thereby making it one of Hyderabad’s sightseeing places.
The best time to visit Osman Sagar Lake is between October and March. Other amusement parks in the vicinity are the Oceans Park and the Elles World. Ocean Park is open from 11 am to 8 pm and it has toy train, helicopter rides, etc for children. Also Treasure Island nearby offers camel rides. Himayath Sagar Lake is another tourist attraction in close proximity to Osman Sagar.
The Osman Sagar is not just an important tourist place, but for the locals, the Lake has served as a place to get together and interact. It also supplies drinking water to twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad apart from being a beautiful tourist place. College seniors are found to be ragging their juniors here and Gandipet also has bonds of friendship to offer. Currently, the Lake is not sufficient to provide drinking water to both Hyderabad and Secunderabad, however, it stands as an evidence to the Nizam’s concern for his subjects. Let your mind relax at the Osman Sagar Lake after spending hours visiting palaces and museums.
Distance to Gandipet Lake:
From Secunderabad Railway Station 25 Kms via Langar House Road. Buses from Secunderabad – 5K-120, 5M-120, 5P-120
From MGBS Bus Stop, Hyderabad 23 Kms via Langar House Road . Buses from MGBS Bus Terminus– 156V-120, 80L-120, 80S-120
Timings: 9.00 AM – 6.00 PM All Days.
Gandipet Lake Entry Fee:
Entry Fee: Rs.5/-
Salient Features of Osman Sagar Reservoir:
- Date of Construction : 1912-1920
- Catchment Ares: 285 Sq Miles
- Capacity at Sluice Level + 1790 ft 5541 Mcft
- Lowest Sluice Level: 1757.00 ft
- Flood Moderating Capacity : 7366
- Total Capacity of MWL: 12907 Mcft
- Maximum Water Level: RL+1819 ft
- Length of Composite Dam: 2900 ft
- Lenght of Mansonry Damrl: 3400 ft
- Capacity of Conduit: 32 MGD
- Flood Gates: 15 Nos x 6 x 10
- Discharge from each gate: 1010 cusecs
- Sill Level of flood gates: +1774ft
Address:
Osman Sagar Road,
Gandipet, Hyderabad,
Telangana 500075.
Contact Number: State Tourism – +91 (040) 23450444
