Iconic buildings picked for rain water harvesting

NEW DELHI: In a first-of-its-kind survey of government buildings in Delhi, Central Public Works Department has identified structures that need rain water harvesting systems. These include landmark buildings such as Parliament House which has a partially existing system but requires an upgrade.
Other well-known buildings owned by the government that currently don’t have a water harvesting system but require it are the vice-presidential house complex, Teen Murti House complex and Indira Gandhi Memorial trust.Submitting its exhaustive survey of government buildings, CPWD has informed National Green Tribunal that it has begun work on installing the system in key buildings where it is needed and the work is feasible.
“With regard to implementation of rain harvesting systems in existing government buildings, CPWD is already doing the needful. Data concerning need of rain water harvesting in any existing government building based on depth of water table from the ground level in the area has been collected by CPWD. The details are also being ascertained if it is technically feasible or not to provide rain water harvesting in existing buildings. In case buildings are shown to be requiring the system and also having technical feasibility, such task is being undertaken,” the CPWD says in its response filed in NGT.
Referring to the Parliament House complex, the agency says rain water harvesting facilities partly exist but with 20 metres as the approximate depth of water table, an additional one is required. CPWD has also said in its reply that 33 quarters at Akbar Road require rain water systems, while the bunglow at 10 Janpath needs a system but it isn’t feasible to install one.