Pune: The count of property owners availing tax discounts for implementing rainwater harvesting has surged nearly 10 times over the past decade, but overall adoption of the practice remains less. According to civic data, only 306 properties availed tax benefits (just for rainwater harvesting) in 2012-2013. The number rose to 3,716 in 2022-2023.
The municipal administration has declared a tax rebate of up to 10% for installation of rainwater harvesting, solar, and vermicomposting units. The response to installing vermicomposting and solar units has been significantly higher as compared to rainwater harvesting. Properties that received tax discount for all three categories in 2012 -2013 were 23,173.
They number went up to 1,11,213 in 2022-2023. Water conservation and rainwater harvesting in Pune was discussed in the state assembly’s monsoon session after local MLAs raised water scarcity problem. PMC’s environment officer Mangesh Dighe said that the civic administration has urged citizens to use rainwater harvesting system.
In 2006, the civic body made it mandatory for all new building permissions to install rainwater harvesting system and promoted it through various mediums, including social media. As per PMC data, 12.5 lakh properties in civic areas are liable to pay property tax.
Around 2 lakh private bungalows and individual properties have potential to install these units. The number can go up to around 3 lakh, if properties in newly merged 34 areas are added. “Necessary steps for rainwater harvesting should be undertaken.
These establishments should also take measures for repairs of water tanks and water taps,” said Nandkishor Jagtap, head of PMC’s water supply department. Besides PMC, Maha Metro has taken steps to implement rainwater harvesting. Hemant Sonawane, executive director, Maha Metro, said that rainwater harvesting has been installed at all elevated Metro stations and at Metro’s viaduct.
Similar steps will be implemented at Metro’s depots and in offices, he said. Col (retd) Shashikant Dalvi, who works on rainwater harvesting projects, said water crisis is increasing across the country. “We are unable to tap the potential of rainwater, especially rooftop rainwater.
We must use this freely available gift of nature to raise the rapidly depleting groundwater table and resolve water crisis,” he said. We also published the following articles recently Properties availing tax rebates for rainwater harvesting up ten times in decade under PMC The number of Pune property owners receiving tax discounts for rainwater harvesting surged from 306 in 2012-2013 to 3,716 in 2022-2023. Despite this increase, the adoption rate remains low.
Civic authorities mandated rainwater harvesting for new buildings and emphasized its importance. Other sustainable measures like solar and vermicomposting have seen higher adoption. Awareness vehicle launched to promote rainwater harvesting in Trichy The Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board initiated an awareness campaign to highlight the significance of rainwater harvesting systems in homes and commercial buildings.
Municipal administration minister K N Nehru launched the initiative to ensure structures are maintained and renovated before the northeast monsoon. Proper RWH structures can help augment the groundwater table and mitigate water shortages. Noida: Potholes filled with rainwater, locate them first to dodge them A road connecting Sector 63 to the FNG highway in Noida has been riddled with potholes, resulting in significant traffic congestion, especially during rush hours.
Despite multiple complaints, the road remains in disrepair, with waterlogging and overflowing sewers exacerbating the issue. Authorities have proposed a flyover as a long-term solution, but immediate repairs are urgently needed..
