Chandigarh civic body clears proposal to rejuvenate ponds in 5 villages

The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation is all set to launch a project for rejuvenation of selected village ponds. The proposed work will be undertaken at five identified water bodies at Dhanas, Kaimbwala, Khuda Ali Sher, Sarangpur and Dadumajra.

As per the proposal passed in the House meeting, the Municipal Corporation will float proposal for inviting online proposals from eligible and experienced agencies, firms, companies and joint ventures for rejuvenation of selected ponds.

The selected agency will improve pond water quality, dissolved oxygen regime, maintain nutrient balance, ecological function and visual condition through in-situ biological remediation and hydraulic management. For this, the agency will rejuvenate the ponds by using latest technologies. The selected agency will conduct all works, including survey, design, engineering, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, trial run, performance validation, operation and maintenance and monitoring for each selected pond.

The objective is to restore the ecological health of existing ponds, improve groundwater recharge and promote sustainable utilisation of treated wastewater.

The proposal says that the groundwater level in Chandigarh is continuously declining due to increasing urbanisation, excessive extraction of groundwater and reduction in natural recharge sources. Many existing ponds require rejuvenation to improve their water quality and ecological condition. Utilisation of tertiary treated recycled water from sewage treatment plants (STPs), after suitable treatment, for replenishment of ponds is considered an environmentally sustainable and resource-efficient solution.

Adoption of advanced treatment technologies will improve the quality of pond water by reducing turbidity, suspended solids, nutrients and other contaminants, eliminate foul odour, restore ecological balance, enhance groundwater recharge and improve the overall environmental and aesthetic value of the water bodies.

Jaswinder Kaur, councillor of the ward number 1, in whose area two water ponds (one in Kaimbwala and another at Khuda Ali Sher) while raising the issue in the MC said the present condition of the ponds were pathetic as these were full of wild growth.