Not enough space to install rainwater harvesting system at metro stations: DMRC to NGT

New Delhi: Rainwater harvesting systems at nine metro stations in Delhi and Noida cannot be installed because the minimum land required for constructing it is not available, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has told the National Green Tribunal.

The submission came in response to the query by the tribunal which had asked the DMRC to explain why rainwater harvesting system was not possible on certain stretches. 

In January, the tribunal had issued a bailable warrant issued 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. 

An area of 36 square metres is required for installation of rainwater harvesting system, DMRC told the NGT. In its reply to the tribunal, the DMRC told a bench headed by acting NGT Chairperson Justice Jawad Rahim that nine stations in Phase I and Phase II of the project do not have the required land for installation. 

"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 6 stations is not fully functional at this stage and the same shall be fully maintained and made operational before the onset of monsoon. 

"There are nine metro stations wherein the RWHS system can be installed by DMRC. However, the same cannot be installed on account of non-availability of land for installation of the RWHS. It may be noted that an area measuring 36 sqm is required for installation of the RWHS system," an affidavit filed by DMRC said. 

These nine stations are Noida Sector 18 and 16, Jhandewalan, Karol Bagh, Preet Vihar, Nirman Vihar, Laxmi Nagar, Ashok Park Main and Kailash Colony, it said. 

DMRC also said that six stations which have rainwater harvesting systems but were not functional are Tagore Garden, Welcome, Botanical Garden, Karkardooma, Anand Vihar and Dhaula Kuan. 

It 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 RWHS on most Phase III elevated metro stations except Jamia Millia Islamia, below which is a rocky stratum and hence difficult to construct. 

Taking to task several hospitals, malls and hotels here for not complying with its orders on rainwater harvesting, the green panel had earlier imposed fines and issued warrants for not installing these systems. 

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 NGT had widened the ambit of the petition and incorporated other institutions like hospitals, hotels and malls.