In a significant move to address long-standing environmental and public health concerns, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has finalised a detailed blueprint for the bioremediation and ecological revival of Bhalswa Lake in north Delhi. The project, estimated to cost Rs 1.1 crore, aims to drastically improve the water body's condition, which has been plagued by severe pollution due to its proximity to the massive Bhalswa landfill.
Project Scope: A Biological Battle Against Pollution
The core of the initiative involves the biological treatment of the lake's water to combat critical issues like persistent foul odour, unchecked algal blooms, and rapidly deteriorating water quality. According to officials, the agency selected through a tender process will have the primary responsibility of bringing key water quality indicators within safe, permissible limits.
These parameters include biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), pH levels, and concentrations of nitrates and phosphates. The DDA, in its revised tender document, has mandated that the chosen firm execute a comprehensive, year-long upkeep of the lake.
Comprehensive Cleanup and Strict Monitoring
The scope of work extends beyond just water treatment. The appointed agency will be tasked with the regular cleaning and maintenance of the entire lake area. This includes periodic dosing of specific treatment agents, removal of algae and elements causing bad smell, and clearing the embankment of grass and vegetation.
A significant manual cleanup operation is also part of the plan. The agency must deploy sufficient workforce to remove all kinds of waste from the lake, such as floating plants, trash, plastic bottles, polythene bags, dead leaves, tree branches, and even worship materials commonly found there.
To ensure transparency and effectiveness, a robust monitoring mechanism will be put in place. The lake's water quality will undergo laboratory testing every month to scientifically assess the improvements brought about by the bioremediation process. All work will be carried out under the strict supervision of the engineer-in-charge.
Addressing Public Health and Ecological Balance
For years, residents living around the Bhalswa landfill have raised alarms about the polluted lake, citing problems like intensified mosquito breeding and associated health risks. The DDA's bioremediation project is a direct response to these grievances and is expected to help restore the lake's lost ecological balance.
The authority has explicitly stated that all products used in the treatment process must be non-pathogenic and should not adversely affect agriculture or aquaculture in the surrounding area. The last date for submission of bids for this crucial environmental project is January 2.
If successful, this initiative could serve as a model for rejuvenating other similarly degraded water bodies across the National Capital Region, improving both environmental conditions and the quality of life for nearby communities.
