Rainwater harvesting pits must for new houses: KTR

 Hyderabad : Municipal Administration Minister K. Tarakarama Rao on Saturday announced that rainwater harvesting pits would be compulsory for all the new houses being constructed in areas of 300 square metres. 

Addressing 'Mana Nagaram' programme at Vishwanath Garden in Miyapur, the minister said not having rainwater harvesting pits would attract heavy fine on the house owners and also on the concerned GHMC officials. He stressed the need for having more number of pits to harvest rainwater so as to increase the groundwater levels. He said any negligence now could lead to huge shortage of drinking water in future. 

KTR directed the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation to take up a massive awareness campaign to encourage people to dig rainwater harvesting pits. He said several States like Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh are facing acute shortage of water. He said water was being supplied through train in some cities like Latur. However, he said fortunately Hyderabad was not having such a scenario. But in view of rising population and growth of Hyderabad, he said it was essential that every drop of water is saved. 

The minister said projects worth nearly Rs. 2,000 crore were under implementation to improve the water supply. Similarly, about Rs. 3,100 crore were being spent to improve drainage system on city's outskirts. He said all the works would be completed by next year.