Shahdara lake rejuvenation plan hits roadblock

The ambitious Shahdara lake rejuvenation project of EDMC has hit a roadblock with shortage of funds slowing down work on the first phase of the water treatment plant to replenish the dried up lake.
"Problems have been experienced in getting funds during the last one year as a result work has slowed down on completing the water treatment plant," said a senior East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) officer.
The first phase of the project was conceived to treat waste water from nearby areas including Naveen Shahdara and Welcome as per a plan prepared by National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) through the 'Phytorid' technique.

"The contractors started work and the infrastructure for waste water treatment is almost complete but work has slowed down now. Provided funds are available, the work can be completed by March," said the municipal official.
The Rs 22 crore project was launched in December 2014. The first phase was scheduled to take nine months and cost about Rs 22 lakh for treatment of waste water to replenish the dried up lake.
However, the fund crunch has delayed the first phase by several months as the EDMC along with two other municipal corporations in the national capital is engaged in a turf war with Delhi government over transfer of funds.

The second phase of the project envisaged developing about 16 acres of green area around 14 acres of the lake, with landscaping and amenities like cafeteria, amphi theater, meditation garden and walkways.