PURANA QILA LAKE REVIVAL AS PER IIT SUGGESTIONS: NBCC

New Delhi, Sept. 24: Stateowned construction firm NBCC ( India) on Monday told the National Green Tribunal that development work of the iconic Purana Qila lake here was being done as per the suggestions of the IITRoorkee and rainwater harvesting structures were being built for ground water recharge.

The NBCC, which submitted a 38- page report in pursuance to NGT’s order, said that drawings for development works at Purana Qila lake were approved by the Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI) and it was directed to seek expert advice from a reputed institute such as IIT for laying of the ethylene propylene diene terpolymer ( EPDM) membrane in the lake and send the same to ASI.

“Accordingly, a detailed report was sought by NBCC from IIT Roorkee on proposal to lay impermeable membrane beneath the lake. It is stated that Dr Bhanu Prakash Vellanki from the Deaprtment of Civil Engineering, IIT Roorkee submitted a report on the same which was duly forwarded by NBCC to ASI,” it said. The NBCC told the tribunal that IIT Roorkee report states that the benefits of maintaining a perennial source of surface water of good quality over an area of approximately seven acres outweigh minor concerns on ground water recharge and rain water harvesting structures can be built within the area.

“The report states that synthetic liners such as EPDM membrane have been extensively used in the west for creation of artificial ponds for aesthetic purposes, canal lining, swimming pool lining etc and there are no reported cases of water contamination,” it said.