A foul odor permeates the air long before the sight of hundreds of dead fish becomes apparent. At Sanjay Jheel in Mayur Vihar, deep cracks have emerged where the lake once held water, now replaced by scattered shallow puddles. Birds scavenge among piles of dead fish.
Revival Efforts Undone by Leak
The revival of the 54-acre waterbody was initiated in 2021 by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and completed by 2024. Treated water from the Kondli sewage treatment plant was supplied by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to rejuvenate the lake. However, several days ago, the pipeline supplying water developed a leak, leaving the lake dry. The location of the leak remained unidentified for several days.
Repair Work Underway
On Thursday, DJB announced that the source of the leak had finally been identified. “The work to repair the leakage was initiated; however, the exact leakage point could not be traced. The repair work will now be taken up on a war footing and is expected to be completed within two days,” a DJB official stated.
DDA officials noted that the area had been redeveloped, with pipelines laid and water diverted from a nearby flood-prone road stretch to the lake and surrounding protected forest. “Maintenance of the treated water pipeline system falls under the jurisdiction of the water supplying agency. The DDA has been continuously pursuing the matter with them,” a DDA official said.
Environmental Impact
The drying of the lake has led to the death of hundreds of fish, raising concerns about the ecological balance. The lake, once a thriving habitat, now presents a grim scene of cracked earth and decaying aquatic life. Local residents have expressed distress over the situation, urging authorities to expedite repairs and prevent future occurrences.
This incident highlights the challenges in maintaining urban water bodies, especially when infrastructure failures occur. The DDA and DJB are coordinating to ensure the pipeline is repaired swiftly and to restore water supply to the lake.
