Bengaluru: Though the BBMP has doubled the fines for residents not installing rainwater harvesting structures on their premises, the civic body's own track record of installing them in parks is dismal. Though the proposal was announced in the budget last year, no steps have been taken in this regard.
The plan, announced during the tenure of former mayor Sampath Raj, was to harvest rain in all parks run by BBMP and at open spaces and nurseries owned by Palike. An amount of Rs 12 crore was also earmarked for the purpose of building rainwater structures.
We should not be sitting in glass houses and throw stones at others. Civic agencies like BBMP should be proactive in setting an example to the citizens to emulate. But it's the reverse here. BBMP, which could have harvested thousands of litres of water, but has not bothered to take it up, said Muniyappa, a regular walker at BBMP park at Gavipura.
He, however, welcomed that BBMP had reserved Rs 12 crore for setting up RWH structures at the parks.
"We are just losing. All the precious water is going down the drain and BBMP is not taken keen interest in RWH. Only projects like white topping and Indira Canteens interest them," he lamented.
When DC spoke to Mayor Gangambike she accepted that there was a delay in taking up RWH plan forward.
"Rainwater harvesting is the need of the hour. At times when the city is struggling with water scarcity, RWH will help us in the future. I shall take up the matter with the department concerned and ensure that steps are taken to get it implemented," she said.
