The tank is named after Mir Alam Bahadur, then Prime Minister of Hyderabad State (1804 - 1808), during the reign of Asaf Jah III, the third Nizam of Hyderabad state. Mir Alam laid the foundation for the tank on 20 July 1804 and it was completed in about two years on 8 June 1806. [1] The tank was reportedly planned by Michel Joachim Marie Raymond. The reservoir with 21 arches was reportedly designed by a French engineering company.[2] This reservoir with its semi circular masonry dams were once the primary source of drinking water for Hyderabad.[3]
Similar to most other lakes in Hyderabad, the Mir Alam Tank is also being encroached by various residential buildings surrounding the lake. The water is heavily polluted and is no longer used for drinking. The area covered by lake has reduced by half from 1967 to 2021. As of 2021 the area covered by the lake was 1,050,000 m2 (260 acres) (i.e. down from 1,880,000 m2 (460 acres) covered in 1967).[3]Nehru Zoological Park lies adjacent to the tank and Telangana Tourism operates boats on the lake, for which one has to enter through the zoo.[2] The polluted waters of Mir Alam tank is reportedly harming the animals located in the adjacent zoo.[4]
The park is being constructed with various attractions using Deccani theme, traditional arts, 3D paintings etc. A science park will also be developed.[5]
