DDA’s apathy: After 7 years, lotus pond project still a forgotten one

It’s a project Delhi Development Authority (DDA) conceived about seven years back, planned it but left it mid way. All their earlier efforts to bloom the national flower on the banks of the Yamuna weeded away in course of time and only a big blue board saying ‘Lotus Pond’ survives. 

‘Initially, the pond was excavated and boundaries were also fixed. It was cleaned for plantation of the lotus flower in the run to preparation of the Commonwealth Games 2010 to develop the site as a tourist spot,’ said a senior DDA officer. The project is also in the files as an incomplete one but DDA never took the pain to develop it and nobody knows what happened to the budget allocated for the same.

After a visit to the area, Millennium Post found that the pond is encroached from all sides and have become a relieving area for squatters living under the Sarai Kale Khan flyover, railway station and nearby places. 

However, the area comes under Zone O exclusively for natural conservation but shanties have come up in front of the boards declaring ‘Ban on any type of encroachment’. The pond is presently dry but a thick cover of water lilies provides a colourful sight. 

‘We never see any lotus here but there are mainly water lilies,’ said Mahesh (name changed) who has a small shop on the bank of the pond. A night shelter was also constructed here in December for squatters and homeless.

‘I have just directed the concerned officers to present a report on the project. We can tell more only after having a detailed report,’ said DDA vice chairperson Balbinder Kumar when contacted. The pond is actually part of a flagship biodiversity project of DDA-Yamuna River front Development Project which has several shanties inside. ‘It’s now a road for workers which are engaged for Delhi Metro work,’ said Mahesh indicating towards under-construction phase-III of the Delhi Metro. 

On the other side of the pond is Smriti Van mentioned on the same blue board. A small board also invites people who wish to plant trees but the area represents more of a swamp, rather than a pond.