Monsoon knocks, rainwater goes down the drain

Gurvinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 12

Though monsoon has arrived in the state, rainwater harvesting units for recharging groundwater which has fallen drastically is nowhere to be seen.

Several state governments, including Haryana have been campaigning vigoursouly for conservation of water through rainwater harvesting.

According to sources, a proposal of Rs 5 crore was sent by the district administration to the government for setting rainwater harvesting units, but as no funds were received from the Central Government under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yoajana (PMKSY), the project got stalled.

ADC (Development) Shena Aggarwal said there was a plan to set up around 100 rainwater harvesting units in all the blocks of the district in addition to ponds during this financial year, but funds from the Central Government got delayed. However, even if not under the PMKSY, the administration will get around 20 such units set up in rural areas under the MGNREGS, including government school buildings.

At present, rainwater harvesting system has been set up at some buildings, including that of the Government College for Girls.