Citizens would like to start rainwater harvesting but are discouraged by the number of clearances needed
If Chennai has been able to do it, why can't Delhi?'' TOI's campaign to promote rainwater harvesting in the capital has got several residents asking the question. What has become clear, by the number of people who approached TOI and other rainwater harvesting experts, specially after the campaign was launched, is that Delhiites are extremely keen on adopting rainwater harvesting but the lack of proper information and a multiplicity of agencies involved in clearing projects has deterred several of them from taking it up seriously.
GK-I, R-Block
For the past one year, residents of the area have been pursuing officials to give them permission to carry out rainwater harvesting on a main road. They already have two projects running inside parks, for which the resident welfare association had no trouble getting clearance. The current project is stuck because permission from the DDA is required.
Rajendra Gupta, an office bearer with the association, recently wrote to chief minister Sheila Dikshit, asking her what steps residents were required to take if they simply wanted to follow the law. ``Our plans were cleared by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) and other agencies like the MCD had given us the go-ahead. We had even drilled 100 metres for a borewell when the police stopped us, saying that we needed to get permission from the SDM. Our request has been pending with the SDM for the past month, and now we are being told the SDM is not authorised to give us the go-ahead," said Gupta.
Ashoka Avenue
Residents were inspired by the nearby Sainik Farms to take up rainwater harvesting on a community level a few months earlier. The RWA set out to identify 4- 5 spots where rainwater harvesting structures could be set up. But nobody knew who to approach for clearances or funds. R N Saxena, honorary secretary of the RWA, consulted with an NGO which works with water-related issues and met Delhi Jal Board officials.
Residents were inspired by the nearby Sainik Farms to take up rainwater harvesting on a community level a few months earlier. The RWA set out to identify 4- 5 spots where rainwater harvesting structures could be set up. But nobody knew who to approach for clearances or funds. R N Saxena, honorary secretary of the RWA, consulted with an NGO which works with water-related issues and met Delhi Jal Board officials.
with thanks : Times of India : Detailed news from link in headline above.
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