The Delhi Jal Board on Monday approved a ₹376-crore plan to rejuvenate 159 waterbodies and another ₹77-crore project for creation of two lakes in order to aid groundwater recharge and boost water reserves in the city, a statement from Chief Minister and DJB chairperson Arvind Kejriwal said.
‘Mega lakes’
The two “mega lakes” will be developed on 25 acre of land at Nilothi and 32 acre at Rohini sewage treatment plants (STPs), the statement said. With these two lakes, the 159 waterbodies, two lakes already approved at Dwarka and Najafgarh and one lake at Timarpur expected to be approved soon, the statement said, the total area of waterbodies will be 350 acre, holding 1,581 million litres or 135 million gallons.
These waterbodies will be designed scientifically with the aim of recharging groundwater as much as possible, the statement said.
“Apart from rainwater, treated water from STPs will be polished using natural wetlands and other methods to maintain the water levels in the waterbodies throughout the year. The step will improve depleting groundwater levels of Delhi apart from making Delhi sustainable for water supply. Excess water from the ground will be taken out to augment Delhi water supply wherever required,” the statement read.
Water connections
Apart from rejuvenation of waterbodies, the area around them will be landscaped and developed as public spaces. Among the other proposals approved by the Board was the extension of the scheme for legalising unauthorised water connections till March 31, 2019.
Referring to the decision, Mr. Kejriwal tweeted: “Delhi will become a city of lakes. It will reduce pollution, recharge groundwater, make our city beautiful. All these lakes will be developed into tourist places wid beautiful landscapes [sic].”