Bad Delhi of Purana Qila lake irks NGT

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slammed the Archaeol-ogical Survey of India (ASI) over the poor condition of the iconic Purana Qila lake in the city. 

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar noted that the lake, which was earlier a place of tourist attraction, has been covered with moss and had become a dumping ground.

The green panel took exception to non-compliance of its May 19 order  to expeditiously restore all water bodies in the city. The green panel asked the ASI official to appear before it and explain why silt, sand and other debris have not been removed from the lake despite its specific direction.

“The lake, which was earlier meant to be developed as a toruist attraction, is today unclean, unhygienic and has become a dumping ground,” it said. “We direct the ASI senior officer to be present before the tribunal on September 5 and explain why the tribunal’s directions have not been carried out,” the bench observed.

The tribunal had earlier directed the city government to rejuvenate the water bodies and asked it maintain and clean them so that they become  a source of natural beauty for the residents of the nearby areas.