Survey
Map the pond's full original area, its inlets and its catchment, and record encroachments and sewage outfalls.
Ponds and lakes in New Delhi
26ponds, out of 49 water bodies
The 1st Census of Water Bodies counted 49 ponds, tanks, lakes and other water bodies in New Delhi district. 36 of them (73%) were not in use and 18 had been encroached upon. New Delhi has the 6th most ponds of the 9 districts in Delhi the census counted.
Every water body the census counted in New Delhi
36 of 49 water bodies (73%) are not in use: dried up, silted, built over or polluted. Bringing them back is one of the cheapest ways to recharge groundwater.
Loading the map of water bodies in New Delhi…
- Ponds26
- Others23
Source: 1st Census of Water Bodies, Ministry of Jal Shakti (counted in 2018-19, published 2023).
Why New Delhi's ponds matter for its groundwater
123%Over-exploited
New Delhi pumps out 123% of the groundwater that can safely be taken out each year (2025, Central Ground Water Board), which the board rates over-exploited. Every pond that holds rain long enough for it to soak in puts some of that water back, so the 36 ponds and tanks not in use are a recharge opportunity going to waste.
Bringing a pond in New Delhi back
Most ponds that are not in use can be revived. The work is the same in a village or a city sector:
Desilt
Dig out the silt that has sealed the bed, so water soaks into the ground again instead of evaporating.
Reconnect
Clear and line the channels that bring rain in, with a silt trap before the pond; divert sewage away from it.
Recharge
Add recharge shafts or wells in the bed where the soil is tight, so water reaches the aquifer faster.
Protect
Fence or plant the banks, mark the boundary and hand upkeep to the panchayat or residents' body.
Frequently asked questions
How many ponds are there in New Delhi?
The 1st Census of Water Bodies (Ministry of Jal Shakti, counted in 2018-19, published 2023) counted 26 ponds in New Delhi district, out of 49 water bodies in all. That is the 6th most ponds of 9 districts in Delhi counted by the census.
How many lakes are there in New Delhi?
The 1st Census of Water Bodies recorded no lakes or reservoirs in New Delhi district; its 49 water bodies are mostly ponds.
How many water bodies in New Delhi are not in use?
36 of the 49 water bodies (73%) were not in use when counted: dried up, silted, cut off from their catchment, polluted or built over. 18 had been encroached upon.
How do ponds help groundwater in New Delhi?
A working pond holds rain long enough for it to soak into the ground and refill wells and borewells nearby. A silted or encroached pond sends that rain down the drain instead. Desilting, reopening inlets and adding recharge shafts in the pond bed are among the cheapest ways to recharge groundwater.
Is groundwater in New Delhi running out?
In the 2025 Central Ground Water Board assessment, New Delhi district pumped out 123% of the groundwater that can safely be taken out each year ("over-exploited").
Ponds in other districts of Delhi
Districts ranked by number of ponds in the 1st Census of Water Bodies.
- 1South West219 water bodies, 17% not in use190
- 2North160 water bodies, 93% not in use114
- 3North West130 water bodies, 100% not in use84
- 4West77 water bodies, 71% not in use48
- 5South106 water bodies, 97% not in use42
- 6Central18 water bodies, 89% not in use7
- 7East51 water bodies, 100% not in use2
- 8Shahdara16 water bodies, 100% not in use1