Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) is contemplating to reach out to at least one lakh households and commercial structures this year too conserve every rain drop by installing the equipment on rooftops.
“Last year, we had successfully managed to cover at least one lakh households and commercial structures for them to install rainwater harvesting system before the monsoon and after concluding the rainy season, piezometers installed across the city to gauge groundwater level had indicated a considerable rise in it” IMC executive engineer Sunil Gupta said.
AdvtHe added that this year too, the civic body is contemplating to set the same goal and therefore, required activities to educate and encourage the targeted households/commercial establishments will soon be started.
Though the senior IMC officials denied having any scientific data to gauge rise in the groundwater level through rainwater harvesting systems, they referred to some media reports, based on results recorded in piezometers, of recording an increase by 1.5m in the level at some places.
Last year, the rainwater harvesting system was made compulsory in Indore city for all residential buildings — existing and upcoming — of at least 1,500 square feet. With the Madhya Pradesh government notifying Indore Municipal Corporation (Rainwater Harvesting) Bylaws 2022, the rainwater harvesting system had become a must for all the non-residential and government structures too.
As per the rules, any violation of the bylaws would invite a penalty of Rs 5,000. Existing buildings that meet the criterion would have to install rainwater harvesting measures too, the bylaws read.