Raj urges BMC chief to encourage rainwater harvesting in city

Thackeray urged Kumar to encourage rain water harvesting as a measure to tackle water scarcity. Water stored through harvesting could be used for gardening,maintenance etc. “If rainwater harvesting is encouraged now,it will help increase water availability for purposes like gardening,maintenance etc. The water we get from dams which is processed can be used for drinking purposes alone,” said a MNS leader.

Thackeray also urged the commissioner to take a speedy decision and announce a policy for the private groups which want to implement rainwater harvesting. MNS itself,through local MLA Nitin Sardesai,has proposed to conduct rainwater harvesting at Shivaji Park.

The BMC had issued an order in October 2002 making rainwater harvesting compulsory for all upcoming buildings having a plot area of more than 1,000 square metres. Till 2007,however,only 185 buildings had adopted the system. In June 2007,following a state government notification,it was made compulsory for all upcoming structures having an area of more than 300 square metres. Till May 2008,444 buildings had implemented this system and the number rose to 900 buildings in May 2009.

Last year alone,751 buildings had adopted the system taking the total figure to 1651— seven in the island city,483 in the eastern suburbs and 1,161 in the western suburbs. Several other issues like condition of roads,traffic were also discussed during the meet.