Ensure rain water drainage system is built properly in all localities so this water flows into a Lake or an artificial pond or back into the nearest river

Sir,

Mission ‘Paani’ is a global campaign by the Government, multinational companies and various NGOs, to raise awareness of water conservation. Currently about 60 crore Indians face high to extreme water stress and about two lakh Indians die of inadequate access to safe water.

Even in areas where it rains heavily during the monsoon season, there is acute shortage of water during the winter and summer months. These extremities can be minimised by reviving the existing lakes which have been filled up with rocks and concrete jungle built over it and by digging several artificial water storage lakes. And, of course, planting more trees all over India would be a good move and the Government of India and other NGOs are already planning to plant tens of crores of new saplings.

To meet the water conservation goal, both the local authority’s action and individual resident’s co-operation is required.

The local authorities could ensure that the rain water drainage system is built properly in all localities and this water flows into a Lake or an artificial pond or back to the nearest river. For example, in Jayalakshmipuram, some three years back on the road side adjacent to individual compound walls, L-shaped open drains were built with concrete. However, it was not interconnected to any main drain so at the end of the road, all water accumulated and overflowed to the road. Any project not completed 100% unfortunately does not yield the desired results. This aspect needs to be addressed urgently.

Secondly, the local authorities could insist on rain water harvesting in all houses with large plot area. As a rule, they must insist on all new houses to install this facility prior to obtaining a Completion Report. Regarding already built large houses, issue notice and give them sufficient time before imposing a monthly fine.

The individual house owners also must realise the importance of co-operating with the local authorities in installing such a system in their houses. In the absence of proper rain water drainage system on the road side, any excess rain water in their property eventually flows into the UGD system and that system gets overloaded and clogged. In this connection, proper connected rain water drainage on the road side is absolutely essential.

– U.B. Acharya, Jayalakshmipuram, 6.9.2019

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