When two iconic lakes nearly shared a dream of floating restaurants, Shikaras and houseboats

(Kashmir Rechords Exclusive)

In the archives of history, some stories shimmer with what-might-have-been. One such tale comes from an unlikely connection between Andhra Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, dating back more than sixty years—when Hyderabad’s famed Hussain Sagar Lake nearly borrowed the romance of Dal Lake.

In  October 1963, the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad floated a grand idea—to introduce houseboats, shikaras and a floating restaurant on Hussain Sagar, inspired by the picturesque charm of Srinagar’s Dal Lake. To ensure authenticity, the Corporation turned to the masters of the craft—the Jammu & Kashmir Government. The copies of the correspondence are in possession of Kashmir Rechords.

In one such letter addressed to the Secretary, Public Works Department, J&K Government in October 1963, the Hyderabad Corporation’s Commissioner, Mr. Ajit Singh, wrote:

“I am to state that the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad has a proposal to introduce few houseboats, shikaras and a floating restaurant in Hussain Sagar lake in the City. I would be grateful if you could kindly arrange to send designs for the following types of boats you are having in your lakes in Srinagar.”

But when no response arrived, Commissioner Singh shot off a reminder in January 1964, urging Srinagar to expedite the designs.

Kashmir Responds – Designs Approved in Two Weeks

The letters worked. In May 1964, the J&K Government engaged its eminent architect M.H. Siddique, who approved the designs for A-Class quality houseboats and Shikaras within two weeks. These were promptly dispatched to Hyderabad—completing the first step towards an unprecedented cross-state tourism experiment.

Designs Approved — But The Dream Sank

Despite detailed designs and bureaucratic approvals, the proposal simply vanished. No floating restaurants, no Houseboats, no  Shikaras, no Dal Lake experience in the heart of Hyderabad.

Why? No document explains the abrupt silence. Perhaps funding, perhaps politics, perhaps environmental concerns. But the paper trail—unearthed by Kashmir Rechords—remains a fascinating reminder of what might have been.

Sixty Years Later: What If It Had Happened?

Today, Hussain Sagar has cruise boats, electric ferries and tourist promenades — but no houseboats, no Shikaras, no floating restaurants like the ones that glide over Dal Lake. Had the proposal materialised, Hyderabad might have become home to India’s second “lake city” experience, blending Kashmiri charm with southern vibrance.

Two Lakes, Two Journeys

Since then, much has changed. Andhra Pradesh was divided, giving birth to Telangana and J&K became a Union Territory. Meanwhile, Hussain Sagar battled pollution and Dal Lake fought encroachment and decline.

Yet, this forgotten proposal remains a charming anecdote — a reminder of a time when Hussain Sagar almost borrowed a page from Kashmir’s timeless romance.

And somewhere in this swirl of history, the dream of Shikaras gliding over Hussain Sagar—sharing a cultural bridge with Kashmir—sank into oblivion. Yet, the very thought sparks a nostalgic smile.