LG sets June 30 deadline for rainwater harvesting systems

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Thursday chaired a high-level review of rainwater harvesting systems across the capital and set a final deadline of the last week of June for the MCD, DDA, and NDMC to complete all pending desilting, repairs, and maintenance work, directing agencies to ensure every single harvesting system is fully operational before the monsoon arrives.

The meeting was attended by the MCD Commissioner, NDMC Chairman, DDA Vice Chairman, and their respective Engineering Chiefs. The LG directed all agencies to comprehensively assess the total installed capacity of all rainwater harvesting structures across Delhi to establish a data-driven baseline for future urban planning, groundwater recharge, and long-term water conservation. He also instructed agencies to move away from slow conventional processes and integrate advanced, high-efficiency water conservation technologies.

On the DDA’s position, 621 of the authority’s 624 existing rainwater harvesting structures are currently functional. Cleaning and desilting have been completed for 587 structures this year.

The remaining 34 functional structures are undergoing maintenance and must be completed by June 30. Beyond repairs, the DDA is building 24 new rainwater harvesting pits at prominent public locations: the Multi-Level Car Parking at Bhikaji Cama Place, Vikas Sadan, and DDA Sports Complexes in Saket, Commonwealth Games Village, Chilla, Yamuna, Poorvi Delhi, Netaji Subhash, and Dwarka Sector 23, as well as roadside installations under the Palam-Dwarka Flyover.

On the MCD’s position, the corporation manages 1,289 rooftop rainwater harvesting locations across its 12 zones. Maintenance has been completed at 1,277 of these, with 12 sites under immediate rectification. The Horticulture Department separately manages 400 specialised ground recharge pits, of which 199 have been cleaned and maintained. The remaining pits must be cleared before June 30.

In a notable technological development, the MCD has installed automated digital level indicator piezometers on a pilot basis at three sites: MC Primary School in Punjabi Bagh, Turkman Gate Road, and MC Primary School at the DDA LIG Flats complex in Shahdara North. These devices, installed in compliance with National Green Tribunal directions, scientifically track groundwater fluctuations in real time to assess the effectiveness of harvesting systems.

On the NDMC’s position, the council manages 340 existing and planned rainwater harvesting structures. Work on 290 has been completed. The remaining 50, consisting of 28 advanced modular systems and 22 conventional structures, are on a fast-track schedule with completion set for June 25.

The NDMC has built 61 new modular rainwater harvesting pits during 2025-26, each with a holding capacity of 30,000 litres.

These systems use interlocked recycled polypropylene polymer blocks wrapped in geo-textile nets, allowing rapid construction with no air pollution on site and immediate restoration of the surface above for vehicular traffic or recreational use.

Site selection for these pits has been scientifically validated in coordination with the Central Ground Water Board, focusing on areas with sharply declining water tables, including North Avenue, South Avenue, Shanti Path, Satya Marg, and Sarojini Nagar.

The June 30 deadline applies across all three agencies for desilting, repair of pipes from rooftops, perforation grating, and maintenance of collection pits and chambers. The LG said no system should be non-operational when the monsoon begins.