Delhi to turn mining pits of Asola sanctuary into reservoirs

NEW DELHI: The Government of NCT of Delhi is planning to convert 14 mining pits inside the Asola Bhatti sanctuary into reservoirs. This will alleviate the waterlogging issue that plagues the area during the monsoon season. According to officials, a committee will be formed in the next 30 days to create a master plan for the project. The master plan will be designed with the assistance of experts and related organisations.

The decision was made by the Delhi Government on Sunday, June 12, after Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia visited the forest region. The primary aim of this project is to tackle the waterlogging problem that develops outside of Bhatti Mines and Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary. The areas that are affected include Rajpur Khurd, Sanjay Colony, Bhatti Mines, Asola Gaon, Fatehpur Beri, Jaunapur, and Chandan Hula.

An official of the Delhi government, while explaining the project, stated that several low-lying inhabited areas exist outside the forest reserve which experience persistent waterlogging and flooding – 35 per cent of which comes from the gradient of the higher mines area itself. He said that moreover, main drains flowing right outside the forest area are also prone to overflowing during the monsoon season. It is to address these issues that the officials have been directed by the L-G and CM to contain water flowing down the slopes by constructing a bund, devise ways to pressure-lift the collected water, and to channelise and pressure-lift water from drains and low-lying inhabited areas into the Bhatti Mines pits.

The Delhi government is planning to plant one lakh trees such as that of Chembu, Jamun, Bamboo, Moringa, Peepal, etc. Furthermore, in a bid to encourage tourism, the administration aims to introduce adventurous activities such as butterfly and animal trails, bike and walking paths, bird watching sites, and ropeways. The government is also transforming the region in the sanctuary overlooking Neeli Jheel into an eco-tourism destination. The objective is to create seating places, observation locations, pathways, and basic amenities like restrooms and parking spaces without disturbing the dynamics of the ecosystem.