Inspect rain water harvesting systems at DU: NGT to DJB

The National Green Tribunal has directed the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to inspect rain water harvesting systems (RWHS) installed inside premises of the Delhi University.
A bench headed by Justice Jawad Rahim ordered the DJB to submit a status report on the RWHS in the varsity and apprise it whether it was functioning satisfactorily or not.
"As regard the Delhi University, it reports having filed reply to the notice issued by the tribunal but inspection has not been conducted by DJB. DJB is directed to conduct inspection and file report," the bench, also comprising expert member Ranjan Chatterjee, said.
During the hearing, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) told the green panel that the tender and work orders with regard to three schools --Primary Girl School at Chhatarpur Mandir, Prativa Bal Vidyalaya and Primary School at Rajpur Khurd-- have been issued.

The lawyer appearing for SDMC informed the bench that as per schedule of the work they require three months to comply and report the final status.
The matter is fixed for next hearing on September 18.

The NGT had earlier directed the Central Ground Water Authority and DJB to inspect private and government schools here after a plea alleged that they have failed to install rain water harvesting systems on their premises.
The direction came during hearing of a plea of Mahesh Chandra Saxena, who claimed to be associated with an NGO working in the field of ground water conservation.

He has claimed that government departments, educational institutions and residential societies have either not installed rain water harvesting systems or these were non- functional.