The Delhi High Court has directed the authorities to "scrupulously follow" the provision of rainwater harvesting norms contained in the Master Plan for Delhi (MPD) 2021 as well as the unified building bye-laws and to take action against the violators.
The direction by a bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar came while disposing of a PIL initiated by the high court in connection with improving the status of depleting ground water condition in the national capital through rainwater harvesting.
The court disposed of the matter after noting the various steps taken by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and the municipal authorities to ensure implementation of rainwater harvesting in the city.
The local authorities had also told the bench that there is a provision for rainwater harvesting in chapter 9.1.1 of MPD 2021 and in chapter 10 of Unified Building Bye-Laws for Delhi, 2016.
Taking note of the submissions, the court said: "We, therefore, expect that the provision (for rainwater harvesting) contained in the Master Plan for Delhi, 2021 and Unified Building Bye-Laws, shall be scrupulously followed by them and in case of any violation, action will be initiated against the erring persons in accordance with law after giving them an adequate opportunity of being heard."
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