ASI begins work to revive dried up Purana Qila lake
Boating at Purana Quila lake in central Delhi will start again, sources in Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) said.
The water body, which forms a part of the moat surrounding the 16th century fort, attracted more than 2500 visitors over the weekends before boating was stopped in August 2016. The lake stretches from Talaaqi Darwaza of the fort to the Bada Darwaza.
“Boating had to be stopped after the water body became too shallow because of years of siltation. It has now gone totally dry,” said an official of the ASI. All that remains now are some boats stranded on the cracked and dried up bed of the water body.
Delhi Tourism had a five-year agreement with ASI to manage boating in the lake, which was not renewed last year.
The National Green Tribunal on May 19 directed the authorities to revive and restore water bodies in the city, including this lake. “We have directed selective dredging of the Purana Quila lake. It should be done cautiously and limited for the purpose of restoration and revival of the lake. The process of dredging should include cleaning of channels leading to the lake,” the bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar said on May 19.
Sources said dredging and desilting the water body was taken up in April before the NGT’s directive. Contracts have already been awarded and work is going on. “Boating facilities will start once the dredging is complete and the water body is filled up with water,” said an official.