The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has come up with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and a three-pronged strategy to ramp up the rejuvenation work of 200 water bodies in the national capital.
As per the newly released SOPs, the revival projects will be clubbed together before the tendering process, and each project will be divided into three phases – garbage removal and excavation of the waterbody site, taking water from the nearest sewage treatment plant (STP), and beautification and landscaping of the surrounding areas.
The DJB is looking forward to reviving as many as 200 water bodies in Delhi of which the work has already been initiated in 155 water bodies. However, as per an official source, the SOPs will only be applicable to 72 of the 155 water bodies and for the rest 83, consultation contracts have been awarded to CSIR-NEERI. And, project reports on 71 of the 83 projects have been prepared by the consultants.
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According to Raghav Chadha, Vice-Chairperson, DJB, tenders for 59 water bodies have been floated and the work for 46 water bodies has been awarded. Moreover, water body rejuvenation works on 10 sites are near completion. In regard to the 10 sites, the VC said that the wastewater being discharged into these water bodies shall be treated via sustainable wetlands which will not only be a green and more natural way of water purification but will also help in enhancing local microclimate and biodiversity.
