Lake FTL and buffer zones explained for plot buyers
Since 2024, HYDRAA has demolished structures in lake beds and buffers despite earlier permissions. Here is how to check before you buy.
Full Tank Level (FTL) is the boundary a lake reaches when full. A buffer zone around it restricts construction. Commonly cited norms (G.O. 168 of 2012) set a 30-metre buffer for lakes above 10 hectares and 9 metres for smaller ones; confirm the current norm for the specific water body.
HYDRAA, formed in July 2024, has demolished structures in FTL and buffer zones around Hyderabad, in some cases despite earlier permissions. A National Remote Sensing Centre study cited by the government found lake extent in Hyderabad fell by about 61% between 1979 and 2024.
- Check maps for lakes, tanks and kuntas near the parcel.
- Ask the irrigation or revenue department for the FTL boundary of nearby water bodies.
- Look on the ground for low-lying land and old tank bunds.
- Do not rely on a building or layout permission alone.
General information, not legal advice
Rules, rates and portals change. Confirm the current position with the authority named and a qualified property lawyer before you pay.
Published: 10 October 2026
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