The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) is developing an Ecological Green Park (Eco Park) at the Minister’s Road, near KIMS Hospital, Secunderabad.

The park is coming up under the Hussainsagar Lake and Catchment Area Improvement Project with the financial assistance from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). After the Lotus Pond at Jubilee Hills, it will be the second eco park in the heart of Greater Hyderabad.

Senior HMDA officials told `Expresso’ that people visiting the eco park would get the feel of moving in the forest as it possesses many plant species, including bamboo and wild grass.

Of the total 42.5 acres land available for the development, the eco park will be set up in 36 acres at a cost of Rs 1 crore. Already a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) is under construction in 6.5 acres of land. The Buddha Purnima Project, a wing of HMDA, will take up desilting of 85,000 cubic metres mass.

The water spread area will be increased from the existing 21 acres to 24 acres.

The water holding capacity will also go up from the existing 1.20 lakh cubic metres to 2.55 lakh cubic metres. The treated water will be impounded for various purposes, including water sports.

A 2.5 km peripheral walkway will also be laid as part of the eco park.

Walking and jogging tracks, special illumination and adequate parking space are the other features of the eco park.

Desilting and bund formation works have already started. The park is likely to be thrown open to public by the end of this year.