Revived by residents, Dwarka pond now contaminated by toxic sewage

Sewage discharge into a 1.5-acre pond in Dwarka Sector 23 resulted in the death of all the fish in it, residents of the area alleged on Thursday, and said that the water body was polluted by a drain belonging to the Delhi Development Authority.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

According to residents of sectors 22, 23 and the nearby Pochanpur village, the sewage flow on Wednesday into the pond-revived by them almost a decade ago was through DDA's trunk drain-II for which the body is currently carrying out beautification work.

Hundreds of fish were seen floating on the surface in a matter of hours, the locals alleged.

Denying the allegation, DDA said that the discharge of excess sewage was by another "public utility department in charge of sewerage system".

Following the incident, locals wrote to the lieutenant governor, the Delhi government's environment department, the Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), seeking action against DDA.

The residents have alleged that a natural channel was created by DDA, connecting the trunk drain-II to the pond by excavating the soil next to the drain which passes parallel to the water body. This, they alleged, led to the sewage water entering the water body.

The locals noticed the contamination after a strong foul smell began emanating from the pond, they said.