Catch the Rain must become a commitment’: Delhi CM calls for public participation in rainwater harvesting

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday launched the ‘Catch the Rain 2026’ campaign at an event organized by the Delhi Jal Board.

Unveiling campaign’s official water mascot, ‘Neera’, and renewing focus on rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge across the national capital, 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 added.

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The highlights of the programme were the simple and practical ways to conserve water such as channeling rainwater from rooftops into the ground, creating recharge pits and check dams, storing rainwater in tanks, fixing leaking taps promptly, and using water responsibly at home.

Gupta, pointing at the urgency of the situation, said the water crisis can no longer remain a subject of discussion and demands immediate, decisive action. With growing population and rapid urban development driving up demand, and limited water sources and depleting groundwater levels, rainwater harvesting, rooted in India’s traditional knowledge systems, must now be prioritized.

Delhi’s Water Minister Pravesh Verma, New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj and MLA RK Puram, Anil Kumar Sharma along with locals and students were also present on the occasion.
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 Jal Board will also provide financial support of up to Rs 50,000 along with technical assistance to facilitate installations.
Rainwater harvesting systems will be made compulsory across all government offices, while existing systems will be repaired and brought under digital monitoring to ensure accountability and efficiency.

Meanwhile, Verma has expressed that it is not just a program, but a strong beginning in the direction of saving water.

He expressed confidence that the mascot “Neera – Voice of Water” will deliver the message of raising awareness about water conservation, especially among children and youth.
Verma added that the message given by PM Modi in ‘Mann Ki Baat’ – “Catch the Rain, where it falls, when it falls,” has now become a guiding light for the entire country.
Drawing inspiration from the same, Delhi is working to transform this initiative into a widespread people’s movement through public participation, he added.