Delhi: Rainwater-harvesting system cannot be installed at 9 metro stations
(Sourced from PTI)
Rainwater harvesting systems at nine metro stations in Delhi and Noida cannot be installed because the minimum land required (36 square meters) for constructing it is unavailable, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) told National Green Tribunal. The submission came in response the query by the tribunal which had asked the DMRC to explain why rainwater harvesting system was not possible on certain stretches.
The nine DMRC metro stations are Noida Sector 18 and 16, Jhandewalan, Karol Bagh, Preet Vihar, Nirman Vihar, Laxmi Nagar, Ashok Park Main, and Kailash Colony, it said. In January, the tribunal had issued a bailable warrant against DMRC Managing Director Mangu Singh for the failure of its officials to appear before it to apprise it about the installation of rainwater harvesting systems.
"Out of 107 elevated stations of Phase I and Phase II, rainwater harvesting system is available at 81 stations. Out of the aforesaid 81 stations, rainwater harvesting system on six stations is not fully functional currently, but would be made operational before the onset of monsoon," DMRC said. Names of the stations include Tagore Garden, Welcome, Botanical Garden, Karkardooma, Anand Vihar, and Dhaula Kuan.
Delhi Metro also said that there were 17 metro stations where such systems were not installed but there was a possibility of installation of rainwater harvesting technique and the process would be completed within six months.
The affidavit also said that DMRC has installed rainwater harvesting systems on all elevated metro stations of Phase III, except three. First is the Jamia Millia Islamia station, below which is a rocky stratum and hence difficult to construct; Okhla Vihar and Jasola Vihar Shaheen Bagh which are alongside the canal and the groundwater level is at a depth of around 1 meter.
The directions had come during the hearing of a plea by environmentalist Vikrant Kumar Tongad seeking directions to the DMRC to "install proper rainwater harvesting system" on all its existing, proposed and under-construction metro stations, tracks and depots. The National Green Tribunal had widened the ambit of the petition and incorporated other institutions like hospitals, hotels, and malls, too.
