CM Rekha calls for rainwater harvesting to address water crisis
Flagging the issue of the water crisis, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday said this challenge can no longer remain a subject of discussion and demands immediate, decisive action and called for enhanced water harvesting.
With a rising population and rapid urban development driving up demand, and limited water sources alongside depleting groundwater levels, she said rainwater harvesting rooted in India’s traditional knowledge systems must now be prioritised.
She made these assertions after launching the ‘Catch the Rain 2026’ campaign at a Delhi Jal Board event, unveiling the campaign’s official water mascot, ‘Neera’, and renewing the focus on rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge across the city.
Addressing the gathering, Rekha Gupta said the message ‘Catch the rain where it falls, when it falls’ is more than a slogan. It is a national direction and collective resolve articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Water is not just a resource; it is the foundation of life, the backbone of the economy, and a safeguard for future generations,” she said.
The event was attended by Water Minister Pravesh Sahib Singh, Member of Parliament from New Delhi Lok Sabha constituency Bansuri Swaraj and MLA from RK Puram Anil Kumar Sharma, along with several dignitaries and students.
The programme also highlighted simple, practical ways to conserve water, such as channelling rooftop rainwater into the ground, creating recharge pits and check dams, storing rainwater in tanks, fixing leaking taps promptly, and using water responsibly at home.
As part of the campaign, the government will make rainwater harvesting systems mandatory for all buildings measuring 100 square metres or more. Citizens adopting the system will be eligible for a rebate of up to 10 percent on their water bills.
The Delhi Jal Board will also provide financial support of up to `50,000 along with technical assistance to facilitate installations. The Government will also lead
by example.
