Despite a long wait, the Ludhiana MC is yet to start work on installing rain water harvesting (RWH) systems in key buildings of the department, with officials now claiming that the process will start “in a short while.”
Experts have opined that if the harvesting system is installed now, only then will the results be visible during the rainy season.
Civic officials have been framing proposals for over a decade to install RWH in their zonal buildings, but till date nothing concrete has been done. “One of the major reasons behind waterlogging is lack of storm drainage and poor implementation of rainwater harvesting in the city,” claimed a source
The building bylaws say buildings constructed in 100 square meters (119 square yards) should have rain water harvesting system, but this has not been implemented in the city completely.
According to the bylaws, when residents apply for their building plans, then they have to submit a security fee with the civic body for construction of rain water harvesting system and when they complete the installation of the RWH system, then they can claim its refund from the civic body. However, officials claimed most people do not come forward with claims as they don’t construct the structure at all.
Earlier, officials had planned to raise the security fee five times so that residents are bound to install the system, and in case they don’t, then the MC can use the same amount for installation of RWH.
Manjit Singh, a resident of BRS Nagar, said, “Before asking anybody else, the civic body should set an example and set up rainwater harvesting in all buildings under MC Ludhiana.” He claimed that ground water level is going down and authorities are still not serious about the issue. Maya Nagar resident Jatin Sharma said, “The main aim at this time should be saving ground water from depletion at any cost, but the authorities jave taken no serious steps. They should organise awareness programmes so that the public gets the relevant information.”
On the other hand, superintending engineer of MC Ravinder Garg said, “We have floated tenders for installation of rain water harvesting in zonal offices and the work will be done quickly.”
Notably, in 2016, the MC had conducted a survey in around 250 buildings, where it came to light that only 26 buildings were having rain water harvesting systems. Then again in 2019, the civic body had checked 400 buildings in city, and out of those only 52 had that system. After that, even the civic body did not conduct any fresh survey.
