In a major policy shift, Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma, at a meeting with officials of 60 departments, discussed treating rainwater harvesting as mandatory across the city.
The high-level meeting held to address the growing water crisis in the national capital brought together officials from over 60 departments of the Delhi government and government of India.
The initiative aligns with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and his call to “catch the rain where it falls, when it falls”, making water conservation into a people’s movement.
Addressing the officials, Verma emphasized that Delhi receives sufficient rainfall, but fails to conserve it effectively.
The minister said, “For four months every year, rainwater flows through our drains and goes to waste. If we channel this water into the ground, we can recharge our groundwater and reduce the crisis we face every summer,” he added.
He said all the departments have been given time-bound targets to install functional rainwater harvesting systems in government buildings, parks, residential colonies, and institutional campuses before the onset of the monsoon. “Every department has been assigned a responsibility. First, government buildings must lead by example. If the systems are not installed, they must be put in place immediately. If they exist, we will ensure they are working properly before the rains arrive,” he added.
In a significant policy move, the Delhi Jal Board will play a central role in the implementation and monitoring of the programme. It will not only facilitate installation efforts but also provide financial incentives, the minister said. “Delhi Jal Board will share part of the cost and provide a 10 per cent rebate where rainwater harvesting systems are functional. At the same time, if systems are not installed or not maintained, that rebate can be withdrawn,” he added.
He also underlined stricter enforcement measures going forward. While rainwater harvesting has long been mandatory for certain properties during building approvals, lack of monitoring has weakened compliance. “Till now, there was a rule but no real checking. That will change. We will introduce a system of verification and accountability so that this is implemented on the ground, not just on paper,” he said.
A self-disclosure mechanism is also being planned, where property owners will annually certify that their systems are operational. This will ensure continued compliance and create a culture of responsibility.
In this connection, special focus will be placed on large residential plots, group housing societies, and institutional areas, where rainwater harvesting can significantly contribute to groundwater recharge.