LG directs DDA to initiate revival of Sanjay Lake

Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Thursday directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to initiate a phased revival plan for Sanjay Lake in east Delhi. The lake, spread over 52 acres and surrounded by a 165-acre protected forest area, recently came under focus after hundreds of fish died due to a disruption in the water supply.

“Visited Sanjay Lake in East Delhi to review the ongoing restoration and rejuvenation works. During the on-site inspection, officials from DDA briefed me on the phased action plan to revive this vital 52-acre waterbody and its surrounding 165-acre protected forest,” Sandhu said in a post on X. He added that planting 5,000 native trees will enrich ecological biodiversity. “The upcoming phases will focus on channelising stagnant water, installing bioswales to improve groundwater recharge, undertaking bio-remediation measures and setting up aerators and fountains to improve dissolved oxygen levels,” the LG added.

During the on-site inspection, DDA officials, led by its vice chairman, briefed the LG on the phased action plan designed to revive this vital 52-acre manmade water body and its surrounding 165-acre protected forest.

The LG had earlier taken serious note of reports that brought out the lake’s pathetic condition due to the drying up of the water supply and accumulation of silt/garbage and sewage and directed the DDA to undertake its rejuvenation in mission mode. The lake and adjoining park area are bounded by residential colonies of Kalyanpuri and Trilokpuri on the eastern side and Mayur Vihar, Phase II, on the western side. Strategically located along National Highway-24, it is a large, recognisable green lung in East Delhi.

Sandhu also said that several key initiatives are being undertaken to “transform this important blue-green asset into a resilient, all-weather, and pristine recreational space”. To further boost the environmental vitality of the area, the LG directed that the ecological biodiversity of the precinct be heavily enriched through the strategic plantation of 5,000 native trees.

Initially planted with Eucalyptus in 1977-78 to improve poor soil conditions, the area now has better soil health. Eucalyptus, Neem, Arjun, Papri, Ashoka, Marorfali, Pilkhan, Chandni, Hibiscus, Hamelia, Kaner, Tecoma are the major plant species that exist at Sanjay Lake. He emphasised that these collective efforts will ensure the lake serves as a clean, vibrant, and ecologically rich public space, strengthening the capital’s environmental sustainability and resilience for generations to come. Taking note of the disrupted water supply to the lake, the LG directed the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to expeditiously repair the pipeline operated by it. He emphasised that a steady supply of treated water from the Dallupura Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) must be restored at the earliest to maintain the lake’s optimal water levels and ensure its survival as a resilient, all-weather blue-green asset.

“I directed the expedited repair of the pipeline operated by the Delhi Jal Board to ensure a steady supply of treated water from the Dallupura Sewage Treatment Plant.”In May, hundreds of fish were found dead in the lake after it dried up due to issues related to water supply from the Delhi Jal Board.

“Continuous de-weeding, algae removal, and the strengthening of embankment slopes using geo-textile technology are already underway to protect and rejuvenate the waterbody,” Sandhu added.