Noida: Start rainwater harvesting, 50 societies told
NOIDA: The Authority on Thursday inspected rainwater harvesting systems installed in 62 group housing societies in the city that have an area of more than 20,000 sq m. Of these, rainwater harvesting systems were found to non-functional in 50 societies. These societies have been asked to repair the systems within a week, officials said.
Due to the rapidly depleting groundwater levels, Noida Authority had some years back made it compulsory for all developmental and group housing projects to ensure proper rainwater harvesting systems before they apply for completion certificates.
But till date, no penalty has been imposed on those flouting the rule.
On Thursday, as many as 20 teams were pressed into action by the Authority to check all water conservation efforts in the city and prepare a report.
“We have checked these societies and a report will be prepared by Friday. We will also start inspecting industrial houses, commercial complexes, educational institutions and factories in the next few days. The idea is to benefit from the few rainy days we get this monsoon,” said Rajeev Tyagi, Authority’s general manager.
“All projects of the Noida Authority, including its office buildings, are also being checked,” he added.
The Authority officials carried out the inspections on 13 parameters that included status of waterlogging at terrace, collection and disposal of rainwater, functioning of the system, overflow pipes, disposal of waste water and silt, status of waterlogging in rainwater harvesting pits, storage and recycling, and checking of illegal borewells.
“We have also installed rainwater harvesting systems at various multi-level parking lots, including Botanical Garden. Though the parking lot is not fully ready yet, we have made the system functional so that it is useful this year onwards,” said Tyagi.
The rainwater harvesting system at under-construction multi-level parking lots in sectors 5 and 6 and Shilp Haat in Sector 33A have also been checked and prepared for the monsoon, officials said.
Source : The Times of India