Once a wetland and now reduced to a garbage dumping site, the Shahdara lake in East Delhi is set to get a fresh lease of life. The East Delhi Municipal Corporation has begun the restoration of the dried up lake that is also planned to be developed into a tourist hotspot with green area, water body, boating deck, an island, children’s park and an amphitheatre.
On one side of the lake, there will be a fish pond and lagoons to add to the aesthetics of the lake. This aims at bringing back the wetland and aquatic ecosystem in the region along with commercial utilisation of the same.
Having received funding from the Trans-Yamuna Board and with the National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) as its consultant, the civic body is in the process of awarding contract for the project. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 25 crore and is likely to be completed by next year. The civic body will use Phytorid Natural Technology; the first of its kind in India to revitalize the lake which has completely dried up over the years. As per the proposal, 30 million of waste water would be treated every day to recharge the ground water and redevelop 30 acres of land into a beautiful green area with the water body spread over 10 acres. A portion of the lake has been encroached upon while the remaining land is being used for dumping of garbage by the locals.
“The EDMC has over 30 acres of land in Shahdara. While the lake will be developed on 10 acres; the remaining area will be green cover with a playground for children. Once completed, the lake will become a recreational centre with provisions of boating, amphitheatre and other activities,” said Yogendra Singh Mann, Director (Press & Information), EDMC. The lake will be surrounded by a moat, where water will be treated through Phytorid technology.
“The amphitheatre can be used for holding cultural events while a banquet hall is also proposed at the site. The commercial utilisation of the project will generate additional revenue for the civic body. The lake will be surrounded by a non-motorised track leading up to the Metro stations and residential colonies in nearly areas.