|
MMRDA to support local bodies for rain water harvesting
It may be recalled that in 2002, the BMC had made it mandatory for the new buildings having a plot area of 1,000 square meters to have rainwater harvesting facility. The planning authority, MMRDA, in its mass-oriented Rain Water Harvesting project is going all aggressive in 8 municipal corporations and 9 municipal councils falling under its jurisdiction, extending full-fledged support to local bodies for taking policy measures for residential and commercial premises in the region to make this project successful. It may be recalled that in 2002, the BMC had made it mandatory for the new buildings having a plot area of 1,000 square meters to have rainwater harvesting facility. By 2007, the same provision became mandatory to buildings having a plot area of 3,000 square meters and above and now it is 5,000 square meters. MMRDA is no mood to relax on these norms and now wants to ensure that they are implemented strictly. According to MMRDA, once it is followed by the new structures, old societies will also follow the suite looking at the benefits derived out of it.
The Authority would take the project to all possible bodies through Green Committee to motivate the rain water harvesting. The most suited way for this is to reduce the concretization in the city and increase the open land area as much as possible. “Instead of cemented floors in open space in apartments, encouraging open space with grass and gardens would enable the soil to conserve more water in the ground. Similarly, the footpath, pavements can be turned greener with grass instead of laying cement blocks, which would also result into water harvesting,” the Metropolitan Commissioner Ratnakar Gayakwad said.
He added that such collective efforts can bring in long term positive results not only solving water woes but also with abundant water supply. Mr Gaikwad also said that MMRDA will endeavor to cover every possible inch of open space to make Rain Water Harvesting efficient. The Maharashtra Chief Minister, Mr. Ashok Chavan has also approved of the plan and encouraged MMRDA to take such initiatives.
MMRDA has extended its support to local bodies, municipalities, municipal corporations, government, non-government bodies and Non Government Organisations (NGOs) in this initiative. URL: http://www.indiainfoline.com/Markets/News/MMRDA-to-support-local-bodies-for-rain-water-harvesting/4920126827 |
