New Delhi: Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has intensified work to rejuvenate 64 of the 101 waterbodies identified under the Centre’s Jal Sanchay Abhiyaan, with a target of completing the first phase by Aug-end.The authority has issued no-objection certificates (NoCs) to Delhi Jal Board (DJB) for the restoration of 27 waterbodies, while work on installing in-house water treatment plants has begun at several sites.The 64 waterbodies under restoration include 17 each in south and northwest Delhi, six each in east and southwest Delhi, five in New Delhi, and four each in southeast and west Delhi.Most of these waterbodies are degraded, encroached upon or have dried up. The project aims to rejuvenate 101 waterbodies spread over 383 acres in the first phase to revive Delhi’s traditional water systems and improve groundwater recharge.Phase I includes dredging, excavation, desilting and clearing natural catchments. The second phase, scheduled for completion by May 2027, will focus on long-term measures such as fencing, strengthening embankments, planting and installation of sewage treatment plants (STPs) wherever feasible.Officials said restoration work at Sanjay Lake in east Delhi has progressed with the removal of water weeds and completion of the baffle reactor and constructed wetland. In-situ bioremediation is planned to improve water quality. At Shastri Park, where the waterbody depended only on rainfall, a 50 KLD decentralised wastewater treatment plant has been completed.“At Smriti Van Lake in Kondli, treated effluent from an STP is being released into the lake and landscaping has been completed. At Hauz Khas Lake, treatment of inflow from the Sanjay Van drain is being carried out through in-situ bioremediation and aerators,” an official said.In Sanjay Van at Mehrauli, DJB is treating inflow from the drain through in-situ methods, while installation of floating wetlands, bioremediation systems and aerators is under way. At Kishangarh, the dry waterbody has been connected to a nearby STP-treated water pipeline, with in-situ bioremediation planned for further treatment.“At another prominent Smriti Van Lake in Vasant Kunj, treatment of drain water through bioremediation and aerators is under way. DJB has also been issued an NoC to install a decentralised wetland-based wastewater treatment plant, which is under construction,” said the authority in its status report.Officials said similar interventions are planned at other sites. At Vasant Vatika in Vasant Kunj, an STP waterline has been laid to supply water to the dry waterbody, while bioremediation has been planned to improve water quality.A 1 MLD wastewater treatment plant is proposed at Astha Kunj District Park for wetland rejuvenation. At Ashoka Park in New Friends Colony, treated water from the DJB’s Okhla STP is being used to replenish the lake. “A 50 KLD polishing unit has also been installed, while landscaping, railing and fountain works have been completed,” said officials.DDA manages 822 waterbodies, of which 424 will eventually be restored and conserved.
