What happened to the Budhela village pond in Delhi?

The Budhela village pond in Delhi, which was once a tranquil natural oasis, has now become a foul, mosquito-breeding pool that has turned into a severe health hazard for the local community.

How did the Budhela pond end up in this state?

The Budhela pond, which was listed as a wetland by the Wetland Authority of Delhi, was gradually neglected and encroached upon over the years. In 2002, the land was allotted to the Sahitya Kala Parishad, a Delhi government body, for the construction of a cultural complex, despite protests from residents and local activists.

What is the current situation with the Budhela pond?

The half-built construction site now stands in the middle of a vast, stagnant pool of water, with mosquitoes swarming the area. Authorities have struggled to clean or drain the site, and the mosquito menace continues to spread across the neighborhood, heightening concerns amid the seasonal rise in vector-borne diseases.

Home / Environment / Neglected Delhi Pond Becomes Mosquito-Infested Health Hazard

Neglected Delhi Pond Becomes Mosquito-Infested Health Hazard

10 Nov

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Summary

Tranquil village pond in Delhi turned into stagnant, mosquito-breeding pool
Pond was encroached upon and allotted for construction, despite being a listed wetland
Residents suffer from mosquito menace, authorities unable to clean or drain the site

Neglected Delhi Pond Becomes Mosquito-Infested Health Hazard

As of November 10th, 2025, a once-tranquil village pond in Delhi's Budhela area has transformed into a major health crisis for the local community. The pond, which previously served as a natural sink for runoff and a local oasis, is now a foul, mosquito-breeding pool that has become a severe health hazard.

The pond, measuring around 0.6 hectares, was listed by the Wetland Authority of Delhi for notification and protection. However, over the years, it was gradually neglected and encroached upon. In 2002, the land was allotted to the Sahitya Kala Parishad, a Delhi government body for arts and culture, which later asked the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) to construct a cultural complex on the site. This construction work, which began in early 2024, triggered protests from residents and local activists who pointed out that the plot was a listed wetland.