GHMC to prioritise Rain Harvesting Pits

Hyderabad, May 29 : Expressing concern over the dipping water levels of ground water levels, GHMC Mayor Mohammad Majid Hussain on Wednesday stressed the need to take up Rain Harvesting Pits on priority.

Addressing a press conference along with GHMC Commissioner MT Krishna Babu at the GHMC Headquarters at Tank Bund, Majid Hussain said that the GHMC has fixed up a target of 10,000 rain harvesting pits for the year 2013-14 with an allocation of budget of Rs. 6 crores. In the year 2012-13 about 2571 rain harvesting pits were taken up in open spaces and Rs. 3.21 crores have been spent for the purpose.

The GHMC Commissioner appealed to the citizens, Residential Welfare Associations, Non Governmental Organisation, Engineering Colleges to come forward to take up Rain Harvesting Pits in their colonies to improve the ground water levels. As per the recommendations of the Standing Committee GHMC will bear 50 per cent of the estimated cost of the pits with regard to Residential Welfare Associations and NGOs participation. He said that if the participation of the RWA and NGOs etc., is up to the expectations, even an amount of Rs. 10 crore will be spent by the GHMC in the interest of the well being of the citizens of the twin cities.

Krishna Babu said that the DO letters have already been given to the principals of various Engineering colleges for their active participation of the engineering students to involve to take up rain harvesting pits as a part of the project duly taking up 2 to 3 colonies door to door survey in their areas to create awareness about the benefits of the rain harvesting pits so that they will also have an experience about the rain harvesting pits. Other than Residential Welfare Associations and NGOs GHMC will spend 70 per cent of the estimated cost with regard to Engineering College students participation without involving any money from their side. The GHMC will provide literature to the engineering students and technical support to the residential welfare associations and the nongovernmental organizations.

The Commissioner said that the Central University of West Zone with the help of NSS wing have come up with rain harvesting structures in 32 colonies with a systematic approach and 100 per cent saturation mode taking their role and keeping in view of the danger alarm bells, now the citizens must take immediate action to improve the ground water levels in GHMC limits.

Krishna Babu said that powers have been delegated to the concerned Deputy Municipal Commissioners and Executive Engineers of the Circles to act as a Nodal Officer to sanction Rain Harvesting Pits up to Rs. 50,000 at their level. If need arises more than Rs. 50,000 it may be referred to the Commissioner to accord sanction. The citizens are requested to come forward to avail this opportunity duly contacting the concerned Deputy Municipal Commissioners and Executive Engineers for taking up Rain Harvesting Structures. As per the directions of the Mayor the request made by the citizens through online will be taken up and sanctions will be accorded within 15 days from the date of the receipt. INN