BANGALORE: The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has extended the deadline to install rain water harvesting systems in its buildings by two months and the new deadline is July 31.Earlier, the State Government had announced that all government buildings, educational institutions, and hospitals occupying large area of land should install rain water harvesting systems (RWHs) within this month in order to gear up for the monsoon.There was a criticism on giving such short notice as experts have repeatedly stressed that constructing a sump or a tank would take more than a month after which the pipes need to be led to the tank to collect water."In the last one month, we have been busy mapping buildings belonging to State and Central Governments apart from identifying schools, parks, grounds and graveyards where the rain water harvesting system needs to be installed," said H Raja Simha, nodal officer (RWH) and technical adviser to BBMP Commissioner.In the data collected, the officials said that around 30 percent of the buildings had installed RWHs in a previous drive. The government's holdings where RWH systems have not been installed has been mapped zonewise to ensure smooth implementation, the officials said.Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has also nominated a nodal officer to coordinate with the work. "The chairman had earlier written a letter to heads of all departments and government institutions asking them to install RWH by May 27 else face disconnection of services," BWSSB project officer Virupakshi Mysore said. But on the ground, the task is seemed difficult for implementation and BWSSB too is considering extension of deadline for implementation.When asked about the quality of installation, the officials were quick to point out that joint commissioners and chief engineers of all zones have been asked to submit weekly reports to BBMP commissioner. "Every Wednesday, they have been asked to submit detailed reports. In cases where the RWH system is not scientific then action would be taken. I am also planning to request to commissioner to depute a separate team headed by a chief engineer to ensure precise implementation," said Raja Simha.The circular issued by BBMP has asked all departments to ensure funds are allocated towards installation of RWH systems.Perforated roadside drainsAn idea which is soon to be presented to BBMP commissioner for approval is road side drains, where water instead of flowing into storm water drains, will directly flow vertically into the ground.The idea was discussed at RWH meeting in BBMP recently and has been put forth by H Raja Simha and IISc professor and RWH expert A R Shivakumar."We cannot ask the water flowing down the roads to take a right turn and flow into storm water drains. Instead, perforated slabs would be used to allow water to seep into the ground with the aid of gravity allowing no stagnation of water," Raja Simha explained.
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