NEW DELHI: Spooked by the communication from Delhi Jal Board (DJB) regarding mandatory installation of rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems in plots above 100 square metres, residents’ welfare associations across the city have urged for a review of the policy.
Several RWAs received the notices under DJB’s dedicated three-day campaign, which cited the deadline of March 31, 2021 for installing the systems after which penalties may be imposed on violators. The residents’ bodies argued that incorporation of harvesting pits in already built-up areas of houses was not technically feasible and the move would also result in disputes between co-owners.
DJB had amended the Water and Sewer (Tariff and Metering) Regulations, 2012 in August last year to increase the ambit of properties where RWH systems would be mandatory by lowering the area limit from 500 sqm to 100 sqm. Houses built after July 28, 2001 were instructed to have RWH systems by March 31, 2020, while older houses were supposed to get another year.
A senior DJB official said both these deadlines were now over and RWAs were being contacted under a special drive to create at least 200 RWH systems in 30 days. He added that the cutoff date of July 28, 2001 had been fixed because RWH provisions were incorporated in Delhi’s master plan in the same month, but enforcement by civic bodies remained lax.
PK Paul, secretary of EBDP Association, said they had already expressed their objections to the new rules to the water resources minister and senior DJB officials. “Our plots have wall-to-wall construction. If we make pits inside the building, the discharge will lead to seepage and weaken the foundation. Our colony is in a rocky area, so it is technically not feasible to install the RWH systems within the three-month limit. We have already set up eight RWH systems on our own,” he added.
The RWAs also stated that catchment areas, like large institutional buildings, back lanes, parks and common areas, should be utilised for this purpose in consultation with them.
Chetan Sharma, general secretary of Confederation of NCR RWAs, said old buildings should not be brought within the ambit of this regulation. “This approach of backward integration is not legally sound. The 100 sqm limit covers almost all planned properties, except JJ clusters and resettlement colonies. They should identify waterlogging-prone areas and use institutional properties to tap water during monsoon,” he added. He cited the example of constant waterlogging near Savitri Cinema complex.
Apprehension was also expressed that this would lead to disputes between flat owners. BM Bakshi from New Friends Colony RWA said different floors had different owners in many properties. “Sharing of cost for construction and maintenance and distribution of subsidy will become a cause of strife. Who wants to pay the extra money? My suggestion is that back lanes and parks should be used by the government to set up RWH systems with the help of RWAs,” he opined.
Jasbir Chaddha, a member of United Residents Joint Action and resident of East of Kailash, said it was practically not feasible for fully built-up properties to install these systems.
BS Vohra, who heads East Delhi RWA Joint Front, said the 100 sqm limit was restrictive and installation should not be made compulsory. “Give people who have space incentives so that they do it willingly. No penalty should be imposed,” he added. He pushed for revival of the old Bhagidari scheme launched by the Sheila Dikshit government under which RWAs could set up RWH systems in parks with assistance from the government.
"bitter" - Google News
December 26, 2020 at 01:59AM
https://ift.tt/3prwinw
Delhi: Why residents’ welfare associations are bitter about rain harvest - Times of India
"bitter" - Google News
https://ift.tt/3bZFysT
https://ift.tt/2KSpWvj
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Delhi: Why residents’ welfare associations are bitter about rain harvest - Times of India"
Post a Comment