The main problem the BMC faces is in implementing and monitoring the law properly, she says. “In other cities, rainwater harvesting has succeeded immensely as the residents hold the builders answerable. This makes even their municipal bodies to take active participation. Unless, we have an active monitoring body, the rule will never be successful in the city,” Marathe said.

Keeping in mind the mushrooming constructions in the suburbs, the BMC has decided to cut down the supply of water from the present 90 litres to 45 litres per person per day. This is also for only those buildings whose demand is less than 2 lakh litres per day.

However, many builders believe BMC’s new decision will compel builders to take the green route. Suresh Gadekar, project manager of the Supreme Builders which is coming up with a seven-floor building in Charkop, says: “We have installed an open terrace rainwater-harvesting system. We have also installed storm water drains and percolation tanks on the ground. These facilities will help the residents here deal with water shortage.” Gadekar adds that “the BMC’s decision will force many builders to adopt “green” construction. Praful Kanajoia, manager, Kalapataru Properties, which has residential and retail projects coming up in Kandivili, Andheri and Thane, says they installed the facility in all their buildings even before the civic body came up with the rule. “We have installed borewells and underground rainwater tanks in all our buildings. Considering the looming water crisis, this is the only way to properly utilise and save BMC-supplied water,” Kanajoia said.

... contd.