NGT seeks DMRC response on plea on rain water harvesting

The National Green Tribunal has sought responses of the Centre and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on a plea alleging that around 6.37 crore litres of water is being lost every year due to the failure to implement rain water harvesting measures.
A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also issued notices to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), Central Ground Water Board and Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana governments seeking their response by next date of hearing on May 6.
The plea, filed by Noida resident Vikrant Tongad, sought directions to DMRC to "install proper rain water harvesting system" on all its existing as well as proposed and under construction stations, tracks and depots.

Tongad claimed that DMRC is required to set up rain water harvesting systems in its stations, tracks and depots in order to comply with the CGWA's directions issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to the Chief Secretaries of the states to adopt rain water harvesting in all areas where ground water level is falling.
He contended that the DMRC which is "dependent on Delhi Jal Board and ground water for their water requirements, is making no contribution to recharge the ground water" which is falling at an average rate of 10 feet per year in Delhi.
Tongad in his plea has said that there are at present 141 stations, including those in Noida, Gurgaon and Ghaziabad, and in 106 stations, roof-top rain water harvesting facility can be installed.

He alleged that in most of the stations, the rain water harvesting systems have not been installed and where they have been set up, they are not in proper working condition.
He further submitted that if rain water harvesting system is properly installed at all stations, tracks and depots of the DMRC, about 6.37 crore litres of water can be saved.