To prevent seepage,Govt mulls plastic lining for Naraina lake

For this project,the government is also contemplating a first-of-its-kind measure: layering the now-defunct water body with a plastic-cellulose layer to avoid seepage.

Pegged as an ‘environment friendly’ solution,a private company has proposed to the Delhi government to line the layers and the bottom of the water body so that the water stays in.

Officials,however,are divided over the use of a plastic component,especially as the High Court has said restoration should be by natural means.

The government is,meanwhile,also speculating the idea of layering just the sides of the water body.

Officials said the depth of the water body,which is presently filled with sewage,will be increased from existing 2 metres to 3 metres. The Flood and Irrigation department decided during the Thursday meeting that the lake will be refilled with treated water from an effluent treatment plant after the depth has been increased.

The final plan is to create a tourist complex in the area complete with a jogging track and water treatment facilities,with the help of the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation.

The High Court had earlier ordered for a committee to be set up for restoring water bodies with Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta at the helm.

“We are debating lining the lake with a plastic coat as proposed by DuPont. We are in discussions with the Flood and Irrigation department and hope to take a decision soon. Lining the entire body—walls and bottom — may not be wise,we may settle for only lining the sides,” Mehta told Newsline.

“This is also to stabilize the slopes of the water body,and this experiment has been tried in South India,” he said.

According to the Chief Secretary,the water body will be fully restored in six months.

“We will also create walking and jogging tracks along the water body so it can be a tourist spot.”

Another plan of developing a baraat ghar with a parking area,to be constructed by Municipal Corporation of Delhi at a cost of around Rs 4.7 crore,was also mooted during the meeting. With pressure on restoration of the lake,this plan has temporarily been shelved,officials said.