Hyderabad: Soon, Hyderabadis will not need to travel hundreds of kilometres to the coast for a taste of the sea breeze and sandy shores. In a first-of-its-kind
project, the city is set to have its very own artificial beach on the outskirts, giving residents a coastal escape right in the heart of Telangana.
A Slice of the Coast in a Landlocked City
The project is being spearheaded by the Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC), which said the idea came in response to the rising demand from locals for coastal experiences and the need to boost tourism in the state.
"Beach outings are clearly highly popular among locals, and through this project, our goal is to encourage tourists to enjoy world-class attractions right here in Telangana instead of going elsewhere for a coastal experience," said Jayesh Ranjan, the special chief secretary (FAC) of the department of tourism and culture, as per a TOI report.
Officials revealed that part of one of Hyderabad’s lakes will be transformed into the beach. The exact lake is yet to be finalised, with factors such as water availability throughout the year and surrounding space being considered.
Inspired by Paris
The idea draws inspiration from the Paris Plages project, where the French capital created artificial beaches along the Seine River. "We came across the Paris Plages project online, where they turned a river into an artificial beach in a landlocked area. As Hyderabad is also a landlocked city, we will be following a similar model to Paris Plages to create the beach here," explained Valluru Kranthi, the managing director of TGTDC.
The artificial beach will not just offer sand and water but will also be packed with adventure and leisure activities. Plans include bungee jumping, sailing, boating and beach volleyball. Family-friendly spaces such as parks, playgrounds, cycling tracks, food courts and hotels are also part of the proposed project.
