Editor Mr.Mayank Rawat ( Chief Editor Mr. Rohit Mishra )
New Delhi: New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) plans to build an advanced modular rainwater harvesting pit at a park in Bharti Nagar. The pit will measure 8 by 2.5 metres and use specialised perforated pipes to channel water up to a depth of 60 metres.Authorities have identified ongoing waterlogging issues in Golf Links and Bharti Nagar. While robotic desilting of the Sunheri nullah in the area is set to begin soon to address these issues ahead of the monsoon, the new pit aims to enhance groundwater rechargeat deeper levels. “This innovative system differs from traditional harvesting pits, which typically reach 15-20 metres underground. The council intends to penetrate the clay soil layer to facilitate water penetration at 60 metres. Due to this hard clay, water can’t reach the natural groundwater, causing inundation,” said an official. A prior survey was conducted to assess soil classification.”The rainwater harvesting pit will use modular boxes — pre-fabricated polymer-based blocks placed in an interlocked configuration around the borewell pipe for efficient water percolation,” said another official.Last monsoon, a section of Bharti Nagar’s boundary wall collapsed due to waterlogging, allowing rainwater to enter Golf Links.To prevent a recurrence, NDMC has added more de-watering pumps and implemented additional measures. The drainage system outfall from the NDMC area connects with the Sunheri nullah at this site.Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is also working on cleaning the nullah portion under its jurisdiction and has partnered with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for deep desilting of the Sunheri Nullah’s covered portion, near Dayal Singh College.NDMC recently informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that the project will be funded byit. “DMRC will modify and desilt the covered portion of the Sunheri Pul drain from the inlet at Dayal Singh College to Lala Lajpat Rai Marg,” stated the civic body. NGT is hearing a case on desilting 22 major drains with outlets to the Yamuna River. On April 16, MCD informed NGT that following a meeting chaired by the chief secretary, it was decided to desilt both open and covered portions of the Defence Colony drain and only the covered portions of the Kushak and Sunehri Pul drains.
Mayank Rawat
