HC suggests steps for rainwater harvesting

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday suggested steps like use of storm water drains to promote rainwater harvesting system in the national capital, saying many parts of the city have low water tables despite waterlogging during monsoon.

A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Chander Shekhar said there are many old buildings in the national capital where installing of rainwater harvesting systems would not be possible and suggested use of the drains in such areas for setting up such a mechanism.

The court asked the Delhi government and the municipal corporations to identify some colonies where water table is low and to use the drains there for setting up rainwater harvesting systems. It sought an action taken report from the authorities by the next date of hearing on September 20.

"Take up five-seven colonies as pilot projects, where water table has really gone down. All you have to do is make a hole there.

Take it up urgently, especially when we have waterlogging problem," the bench said.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by advocate R K Kapoor seeking implementation of rainwater harvesting units in the national capital, especially in government buildings and hospitals.