DDA Rejuvenates 64 Degraded Waterbodies Across Delhi Under Jal Sanchay Abhiyaan
The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has intensified restoration work on 64 degraded, encroached, or dried-up waterbodies across Delhi, including major sites at Sanjay Lake in east Delhi and Shastri Park, as part of the Centre's Jal Sanchay Abhiyaan. The first phase of the ecological rejuvenation project is targeted for completion by the end of August.
To facilitate the restoration, the DDA has issued no-objection certificates (NoCs) to the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) for 27 of these waterbodies. Work has also commenced on installing in-house water treatment plants at several locations to improve water quality and aid groundwater recharge across 383 acres of land.
The 64 waterbodies currently undergoing restoration are spread across the city. This includes 17 sites 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.
Phase I of the project involves physical interventions such as dredging, excavation, desilting, and clearing natural catchments. The second phase, which is scheduled for completion by May 2027, will focus on long-term measures including fencing, strengthening embankments, planting, and installing sewage treatment plants (STPs).
At Sanjay Lake, workers have removed water weeds and completed a baffle reactor and constructed wetland, with in-situ bioremediation planned next. In Shastri Park, where the waterbody previously relied solely on rainfall, a 50 KLD decentralised wastewater treatment plant has been completed.
Similar work is underway at other key locations. At Smriti Van Lake in Kondli, treated effluent from an STP is being released into the lake alongside completed landscaping. At Hauz Khas Lake, aerators and in-situ bioremediation are being used to treat inflow from the Sanjay Van drain.
In Sanjay Van at Mehrauli, the DJB is treating drain inflow and installing floating wetlands, bioremediation systems, and aerators. At Kishangarh, a dry waterbody has been connected to a nearby STP-treated water pipeline.
In Vasant Kunj, bioremediation and aerators are being deployed at Smriti Van Lake, where a decentralised wetland-based wastewater treatment plant is also under construction. At nearby Vasant Vatika, an STP waterline has been laid to supply water to the dry waterbody.
Additionally, a 1 MLD wastewater treatment plant is proposed at Astha Kunj District Park. At Ashoka Park in New Friends Colony, treated water from the DJB’s Okhla STP is replenishing the lake, supported by a newly installed 50 KLD polishing unit, landscaping, railing, and fountain works.
In total, the DDA manages 822 waterbodies, of which 424 are slated for eventual restoration and conservation.
