The Hindu : New Delhi News : Walia lays stress on rainwater harvesting

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 14, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Walia lays stress on rainwater harvesting

Staff Reporter

International Conference and Exhibition on Asian Water Industry begins at Pragati Maidan

TOWARDS WATER CONSERVATION: Delhi Finance Minister A.K. Walia going around the stalls after inaugurating the Water Asia Exhibition at Pragati Madain in New Delhi on Tuesday. Photo: Sandeep Saxena

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Urban Development and PWD Minister, A.K. Walia, on Tuesday stressed the need for rainwater harvesting, water conservation and use of tap water for drinking and cooking purposes only as ways and means of solving the water scarcity problem in Delhi.

Dr. Walia also expressed concerned at the deteriorating condition of the Yamuna and informed that the Delhi Government has drawn up plans to install sewage treatment plants at all the entry points of major drains entering the river.

He declared that Delhi Government would consult international experts in installing these plants.

Expressing these views while addressing the inaugural function of the Sixth Water Asia 2005 International Conference and Exhibition on Asian Water Industry which got underway at Pragati Maidan here, Dr. Walia said the Delhi Government is committed to augmenting and conserving water supply in Delhi and has been taking various measures in this regard.

He said three water recycling plants have been constructed at Bhagirathi, Haiderpur and Wazirabad works and the concept of rainwater harvesting and water conservation is being propagated by providing incentive of up to 50 per cent of the total cost. Besides, he said, old water lines are being changed, leakage is being curbed and the 140 MGD Sonia Vihar and 20 MGD Bawana Water treatment plants have been commissioned.

The Minister said the public also has an important role to play in water conservation and exhorted the masses to make use of tap water for drinking and cooking purpose only.

The recycled water, he said, should be used for rest of the purposes.

Describing the ever-growing demand for water as one of the biggest challenges being faced in Delhi, he said while the Capital is getting a small share from the river Yamuna and the quality and level of ground water is going down day by day, the pressure of population and consequently the demand for water has been rising steadily.

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