Three-month plan to revive water bodies

The Delhi government has prepared a three-month action plan for the revival of water bodies in the Capital, which have been dying a slow death because of neglect.

The Delhi government has prepared a three-month action plan for the revival of water bodies in the Capital, which have been dying a slow death because of neglect.

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The plan was prepared at a meeting held with officials of various land-owning agencies such as the civic agencies, the Delhi Development Authority, the public works department, flood control division and the Delhi Jal Board. Execution will start immediately.

Representatives of schools, resident welfare associations and villages, located adjacent to water bodies, and experts also participated.

Environment secretary Sanjeev Kumar said all water bodies will be identified, located, mapped (with latitude and longitude details) and photographed.

Delhi pollution control committee member secretary Sandeep Mishra said mixing of sewage into water bodies would be stopped.

Wherever necessary, de-silting will also be done, encroachment removed. Solid waste will also be removed and its dumping in or around water bodies stopped immediately.

The horticulture departments of various land-owning agencies were told to ensure adequate plantation around all water bodies in their jurisdiction.

“Greening must start before the monsoons. Plants have water-holding capacity. Plantation would help in groundwater recharge and revived water bodies will store rain water,” said SD Singh, chief executive officer of the Delhi Parks and Garden Society.

It was decided that water bodies could only be revived if the engineering and horticulture departments worked in tandem.