The massive waterlogging, traffic jams and inconvenience that Delhiites experienced over the weekend could have been avoided if, as environmentalists say, rainwater was diverted and stored, and the surface runoff prevented.
Every monsoon, the city goes through the same drill — it pours, the civic bodies get caught off-guard, water accumulates on roads, the traffic becomes a nightmare and authorities blame each other. A year later, the cycle repeats itself.
However, experts say if rainwater harvesting and de-concretisation programmes are carried out across the city, the monsoons will become an enjoyable season in Delhi instead of a dreaded one.
“If the existing rainwater harvesting guidelines were implemented, we would not have had waterlogging in Delhi,” said Vinod Jain, an activist who has petitioned the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on making rainwater harvesting mandatory for buildings over 100 square metres and above.
Mr. Jain said all flyovers and roads should have rainwater harvesting mechanisms. The recharge pits along the roadside will be used to relay the water to an aquifer through pipes.
“The existing rainwater harvesting in some areas like AIIMS flyover are not being monitored properly. Plastic and trash have been found in the recharge pits. The lack of institutional machinery and monitoring are to be blamed,” Mr. Jain added.
Also contributing to the problem, say experts, is the increasing concretisation in Delhi. With pavements and roadsides getting cemented or tiled, water that would earlier seep through is now collecting on the surface.
“We need to consciously remove paved areas and look at pavement design. These days there are tiles available that absorb rainwater, prevent runoff and help with groundwater recharge,” said Manoj Misra, the convenor of Yamuna Jiye Abhiyaan.
Environmentalist Akash Vashishtha, who has petitioned the NGT to have concretisation removed, said the Urban Development Ministry guidelines on the issue are being flouted in Delhi.
“The roadsides were supposed to be left with soil and mud, but large-scale concretisation has left no option for groundwater recharge,” said Mr. Vashishtha.
Apart from de-concretisation, experts say Delhi’s natural drainage system needs to be revived. “There were 201 storm water drains in Delhi and as long as they were kept free from sewage and uncovered, they carried rainwater and recharged the groundwater, before falling into the river,” said Mr. Misra.
He added that Delhi has 800 water bodies that have an important role in urban flood management. “There is no need to beautify these water bodies as some agencies have been doing. The catchment should be made secure,” said Mr. Misra.
