NEW DELHI: The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is attempting to transform Sanjay lake, located near Mayur Vihar, into one of the biggest recreational spaces in East Delhi.
The Delhi Development Authority has already completed redevelopment across 20 acres along the lake as part of phase I of the project. Sanjay lake is one of the largest green areas in East Delhi and the project for its ecological restoration was started only a few months ago. According to a DDA official the second phase for the project is soon to take place which will cover almost 170 acres of the lake area which include the greens within the lake itself, covering 52.3 acres.
The DDA vice-chairman, Tarun Kapoor said, “The project is being carried out in phases, where phase I is almost complete. An amphitheatre, along with cycling tracks are ready and the greening of one portion of the lake is complete.”
Maintaining the lake along with the huge green area that surrounds it has been a mammoth task for DDA as the lake has been the dumping yard for the sewage of adjoining Trilokpuri village and nearby jhuggis. Factories functioning around the lake in Trilokpuri area discharge their effluents into the lake making it hazardous.”The water in the lake gets dirty as unclean water gets mixed with it. We are going to set up a sewage treatment plant nearby to ensure that the lake remains clean,” Kapoor added.
“Sanjay lake has always been a recreational spot inviting a large number of people for years. However, we are now trying to improve the surrounding area and we strive to recreate the entire surrounding into one of the best recreational spots in the city and definitely the best in East Delhi,” the vice-chairman said.
A host of new facilities are being developed will be introduced in the park which would result in a complete rejuvenation of the lake and the surrounding greens. The facilities being planned include nature trails, bicycle tracks, pedestrian pathways, an amphitheatre, lake view plazas, food court, observation decks and an open gym.
DDA also hopes to introduce an artist court, a sculpture court and a craft hut.