A big initiative has been started in the capital to get relief from the scorching heat and deepening water crisis. Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Saturday launched the water harvesting campaign of DDA from the District Park in Paschim Vihar. Under this, in the first phase, 101 major reservoirs of Delhi will be rejuvenated, the direct objective of which is to revive the groundwater going into the abyss of the capital.
This initiative assumes significance as Delhi was historically known for its stepwells, reservoirs and natural streams, which have fallen victim to urbanization and encroachment. The Lieutenant Governor said that this is not just a project to beautify the water bodies, but a concrete step towards ecological balance and sustainable urban development.
Preparation to save monsoon water
The Lieutenant Governor directed that the restoration work of all the 101 reservoirs identified under the first phase should be completed by August 30 under all circumstances. The main strategy behind this is that the dredging, excavation and cleaning work of these reservoirs should be completed before the onset of monsoon rains. The natural catchment channels of these reservoirs are also being cleaned, so that every drop of rain water reaches these ponds without any obstruction and can seep into the ground and increase the ground water level.
Special focus on Dwarka-South Delhi
DDA has a total of 822 reservoirs, out of which 424 have been selected for rejuvenation. Work on 101 of them has been started on war footing. The areas most affected by water crisis have been given priority in this scheme. Of these 101 reservoirs spread over an area of about 155 hectares (383 acres), maximum 22 reservoirs are in Dwarka zone. Apart from this, 13 reservoirs in South Delhi, 17 in Rohini and 6 in Narela will be rejuvenated. The 1.47 hectare reservoir in the district park of Paschim Vihar from where the campaign started is also included in this list.
STP will be installed in the second phase
The outline for the second phase of the campaign has also been prepared, which is targeted to be completed by May 2027. This phase includes fencing the reservoirs, strengthening embankments and setting up small sewage treatment plants (STPs) where possible, so that only clean water remains in the reservoirs. Plantation will be done on a large scale around them, so that these areas can also act as the ‘lungs’ of Delhi. On this occasion, MLA Karnail Singh and DDA Vice President N. Sarwan Kumar was also present.
Ponds will be visible again on the map
Under the mega campaign, 101 reservoirs located in different corners of Delhi are being revived. In these…
- Dwarka area includes Bamnoli, Hasanpur, Jharoda Kalan, Kharkhari Road, Tikri Kalan, Chhawla (two reservoirs), Pindwala Kalan (three reservoirs), Jhuljhuli (two reservoirs), Qazipur, Rewala Khanpur, Baprola (two reservoirs), Kamaruddin Nagar, Mundka, Bakkarwala (two reservoirs), Hastsal and Deendarpur.
- In South Delhi, the face of Rajpur Khurd, Maidangarhi, Kishangarh, Chirag Delhi, Rangpuri (two reservoirs), Kapashera, Mahipalpur, Rajokri (three reservoirs), Madangir and Ghitorni will be changed.
- In Rohini region, Katevada (two reservoirs), Sultanpur Dabas, Rani Kheda (two reservoirs), Madanpur Dabas, Nangal Thakran (two reservoirs), Chandpur, Budhanpur Majra (two reservoirs), Jatkhod, Bawana, Garhi Randhala (two reservoirs), Savda and Nithari have been selected.
- Bankner (two reservoirs), Mamurpur, Tikri Khurd (two reservoirs) and Lampur from Narela zone are part of the list.
- Akbarpur Majra of Northern and other areas, Alipur, Bakhtawarpur (three reservoirs), Budhpur Bijapur, Hiranki (two reservoirs), Ibrahimpur, Kheda Kalan, Nangli Poona, Samaypur, Siraspur, Tigipur, Sahipur, Burari and Kamalpur Majra Burari (four reservoirs), Shahbad Mohammadpur, District Park of Paschim Vihar, Madipur (two reservoirs), Kilokri, Kalindi Aviral. (Three reservoirs), Ghonda Gujran Khadar, Usmanpur, Khooni Lake (Serpentine Lake) of KN Ridge, Jharoda Majra, Todapur (Three reservoirs), Tihar Lake, Harsh Vihar Pitampura, Reservoirs of Rohini Sector-20 and 23, Rithala, Subhash Camp of Badarpur, Smriti Van Narela, Aastha Kunj of Kalkaji and Bhalswa will be given new life.