DJB to take over 100 water bodies
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is likely to take over 100 water bodies – ponds and lakes – in Delhi. These water bodies are currently either under the Delhi government’s revenue department or the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).
The DJB plans to revive the 100 water bodies and use them are recreational spaces as well as grounds for rainwater harvesting.
The National Green Tribunal had ordered the Delhi government to take over a few water bodies in Dwarka for revival. According to officials, the first few ponds where the DJB will start work are in Dwarka where the Dwarka Water Bodies Committee has been active for the past few years.
One of these ponds is in the district park in Sector 23 and the other is in Sector 20. Hindustan Times had reported earlier this week how residents and members of the committee in the area have been waging a long battle with the DDA and other authorities to get the monsoon run-off to natural ponds to allow groundwater recharge.
“We held a meeting with the officials concerned earlier this week. A final meeting is expected next week after which the decision will be made formal. To start with, we are looking at 100 ponds for revival. This in itself is a huge task. There are over 500 water bodies under the revenue department and we plan to eventually take over all of them. The status of the pond or lake has to be ascertained before a plan is made. We have to see whether it has been encroached upon and if that encroachment can be removed. A proper assessment is needed. The first 100 water bodies are the ones that can be revived, we feel,” said a senior DJB official.
The task of reviving water bodies has already found resonance with resident groups across the city. These groups are active in different parts such as Model Town, Mayapuri, Vasant Kunj and Delhi Cantonment.