THE MUNICIPAL Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has decided to pass building plans only after inspecting the under construction buildings for rainwater harvesting system. The move was made by the civic agency's Standing Committee to make sure all future buildings have rainwater harvesting facilities.
The rainwater harvesting has, however, been a component in the completion certificate required to get building plans sanctioned since 2001, but now the MCD will conduct surprise inspection of properties and only then pass the plans. The whole process has to be completed in three months.
After the stipulated time frame the civic agency will consider the construction as unauthorised.
Because of the depleting ground water levels the MCD has now decided to take steps to conserve rainwater. Vijender Gupta, chairman Standing Committee said, "We want to make sure people do their bit to save water. We are ready to help anyone, who is interested in rainwater harvesting."
The MCD has decided to include water harvesting wells in their future road estimates. Naresh Kumar, Additional Commissioner engineering said, "The road estimates as well as any building be it schools, hospitals will have an inbuilt component. We will also use perforated tiles on the footpaths." "If they do use concrete then the department has to give an explanation as to why they did so. Also there should not be any tiling on central verges," added Gupta. HTC
