DDA identifies 811 water bodies in Delhi, 247 can't be restored

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has reported to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that it has identified a total of 811 water bodies under its ownership in the national capital. However, 247 of these bodies have been deemed non-feasible for restoration due to factors such as encroachments, existing land-use plans, and the presence of built-up properties.

This update was shared by the DDA with the NGT on Thursday, following its suo-motu cognisance of a news report in April 2024 about the ongoing disappearance of water bodies in the capital.

The DDA’s submission reveals that the status of over half of the identified water bodies remains unresolved or pending. Of the 811, 320 have not been demarcated, 100 are yet to be handed over to the DDA by various departments, including the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, and 24 are awaiting ‘khasra verification’ to confirm land ownership.

Additionally, the DDA informed the tribunal that 174 water bodies have already been developed, while 427 have been found viable for restoration. The East Zone of Delhi has the highest number of non-feasible water bodies, with 70, followed by the Dwarka Zone, which has 59.

Earlier this year, a decision was made to rejuvenate at least 10 water bodies in each zone, with a fixed timeline for completion by March 15. The Wetland Authority of Delhi had previously stated that there are 1,367 identified water bodies in the city, 1,045 of which are included in revenue records, with the remaining 322 identified through satellite imagery.

The NGT has issued notices to the DDA and other departments, urging them to submit timelines for the restoration and rejuvenation of these water bodies across Delhi.