Delhi Lake Revival Fails: Pollution Concerns Emerge

Months after assurances of revival, Delhi's 66-acre Kitchener Lake is now under scrutiny due to persistent pollution. A recent Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) report, submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in late August, revealed that the lake's water quality does not meet required standards for Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and fecal coliform. These findings contradict earlier claims made by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to the NGT in May, which stated that remedial measures had successfully improved the water quality.

The NGT, which has been monitoring the lake's water quality since 2024, has mandated the DDA to provide an explanation within one month regarding the identified issues. This comes despite the DDA having already awarded cleaning contracts totaling Rs 36 lakh for the lake. The DPCC report indicated specific high levels for BOD (40 mg/l), COD (88 mg/l), and fecal coliform (15 × 10³ MPN/100 ml) in samples collected in July. While some parameters like pH, dissolved oxygen, and free ammonia fell within the Class-D criteria for wildlife and fisheries, critical metrics indicate a failure in rejuvenation efforts.

The Delhi Master Plan 2041 emphasizes the protection and rejuvenation of the city's water bodies for ecological functions. Kitchener Lake's degradation impacts not only its capacity to support wildlife but also the surrounding forest ecosystem. Past efforts have included proposed connections to treated sewage water from a nearby hospital, though construction within the protected forest requires approvals. This situation echoes broader issues, as seen with the directive to revive 77 water bodies following fish deaths in Sanjay Lake earlier this year.