What happened to rainwater harvesting drive conducted in I’puram in 2018?

With summer just around the corner, it seems the right time to check the preparedness of the high rises in the city on rainwater harvesting and see if the authorities have learnt from their past mistakes.

Keeping this in mind, the Federation of Apartments Owners Association (FedAOA) has written to the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) asking them to share details about the authority’s drive conducted in July-August, 2018, to check the status of rainwater harvesting pits in group housing societies in Indirapuram.

The heavy monsoon rains last year had not only washed away the tall claims of civic bodies in managing the city but also exposed the ill-preparedness of housing complexes in saving rainwater.

“The authority should share the results of the drive. Because, honestly, I don’t see any changes on the ground,” said Alok Kumar, president of FedAOA.

In July 2018, Alok Kumar had submitted a letter suggesting the audit of rainwater harvesting systems installed in housing societies in Ghaziabad with an area above 300 square metres. After the approval, OSD VK Singh had started a campaign targeting societies of Indirapuram in the first stage.

Kumar shared that he had suggested a checklist, which was agreed upon by GDA, and included the following point.

• Is a rainwater harvesting system installed in the society and what is its current status?
• Is there a signboard inside the society stating, “rainwater harvesting system is installed and currently operational?”
• Are RWAs making efforts in making people aware of the benefits of saving rainwater by organizing contests/events in the societies.
• Continue the drive for a month and then evaluate people’s participation. Start second stage of the campaign with a focus on shopping malls, multiplexes, hotels, schools and other commercial entities.

“Unfortunately, none of these have been followed,” commented Kumar.

When City Spidey spoke to OSD Singh asking about the status of the campaign, he said that the campaign had started late as their staff was busy in the sealing drive.

“The campaign was finished and we have a list of societies where rainwater harvesting system was operational last year,” Singh claimed.

However, when asked to share the list, he denied. Though he was quick to add that the drive will be resumed before the onset of monsoon.