The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has initiated the restoration process of the historic Roshanara Bagh lake, part of the 57-acre, 17th century Mughal-era Roshanara garden, developed by the second daughter of the emperor Shah Jahan and begum Mumtaz Mahal, Roshanara, houses her tomb too in north Delhi. This lake, which is spread across 3.8-acres and is 4-meters deep, is being re-developed with stone pitching on the sides, a small island in the center, a walking track and green belt, installation of benches, repair of a gazebo, internal roads and boundary wall. The entire process is estimated to take around six months for completion and is in full swing.
The Roshanara Bagh lake has been dry for years because of concretisation and lack of a water channel for supply, which historically was fed with rainwater and supply from Sahibi river technically called Najafgarh drain now, almost a century ago. The lake inside the lush park was once a hotspot visited by migratory birds during winters. These, over recent years, due to changes in the surrounding landscaping, has stopped any water flow into the natural lake. However, now under the City of Lakes project, the hope of its revival has gathered pace, even though some work or another has been going on for almost a decade.
The lake would be supplied with treated water from the sewage treatment plant (STP) nearby. The plant, based on physicochemical treatment of wastewater, has a capacity to treat 2.3 million litres daily, is almost 80% complete. As part of the project, pipelines for supplying water from the STP to the lake have been laid, with the likelihood of water being channelised in the next two months with monsoons too adding their bit during the expected period.
Earlier a few months back, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, inaugurated a state-of-the-art nursery at the Roshanara Bagh which has a capacity of 1,50,000 plants which would further enhance the plantations in the garden. He emphasised the need to replicate such nurseries in other parts of the city to make Delhi greener and more beautiful. The LG also announced a financial incentive for the workers at the nursery. Saxena went on a round of the complex and was shown specially crafted lightweight pots made with cow dung and dry grass. The two hi-tech polyhouses today can control humidity and temperature at each. The first lot of 38,000 saplings from the nursery has already been distributed and the next lot too is under preparation aligned with the monsoon season.enhance
Once completed, the lake will provide a beautiful setting for nature lovers, with a walking track and green belt, along with benches and a gazebo. The civic body also plans to dedicate a corner for recreation purposes for the general public. There will be an area for children where swings will be installed. People can relax at this spot and also buy plants and saplings. The Roshanara Bagh also has a raised canal system which, too has dried up in the absence of water reservoir and may see the light of day when the cleanup of the monuments phase of this ongoing project starts. The end result may not be too short of the rejuvenated Sunder nursery heritage garden, which is the most sought after outdoor public area in Delhi currently.
Also, in an effort to give women a more comfortable space in the national capital, all 250 wards under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will soon be equipped with ‘pink parks’, where only women will be allowed and children below 10 years. Pre-project work has started and the MCD officials are currently identifying locations for setting up the facilities.
The idea was proposed by Delhi Deputy Mayor Aaley Mohammad Iqbal, citing the example of ‘pink park’ in his ward (Chandni Mahal). These ‘pink parks’ will have toilets, CCTV cameras, gym facilities and graffiti on the walls to offer the women a comfortable horticultural space.The MCD has about 15,000 parks under its jurisdiction, which includes several historic parks such as Subhas Park and Roshanara Bagh. Many parks and horticultural spaces in the city are also under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Development Authority, the city government’s Public Works department and the Central Public Works Department.