Rainwater harvesting systems to be installed in 75 CM Shri Schools

New Delhi, Jul 10 (PTI) Rainwater harvesting systems, including rooftop units, recharge pits and filtration facilities, will be installed in 75 CM Shri Schools across Delhi under the 'Catch the Rain' initiative. Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood said the government is also working towards converting 1,000 schools into zero-waste campuses. The project, being implemented under Indraprastha Gas Limited's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, will include technical audits of existing rainwater harvesting structures, restoration of old systems and installation of new facilities to improve groundwater recharge in school campuses, according to a statement. A tripartite MoU between IGL, the Directorate of Education and Ehsaas NGO was signed at the Delhi Secretariat in the presence of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta under the 'Catch the Rain' initiative. The project will also include water conservation awareness programmes for students and teachers in the selected schools, it stated. Under the initiative, existing rainwater harvesting systems will be inspected and repaired, including recharge pits and filtration units. New rooftop rainwater harvesting systems comprising pipelines, filters, tanks and borewells will also be installed wherever required, with one modern rooftop unit planned for each school. The project is expected to facilitate groundwater recharge of around two lakh litres annually in each school. The selected schools will also receive one year of maintenance and technical support after installation of the systems. The implementation agency, Ehsaas NGO, will oversee construction quality, safety standards and execution of the project, while the Directorate of Education will provide administrative support and ensure maintenance of the systems after completion. IGL will provide financial assistance for the project. The chief minister said collaboration between the government, industry and social organisations would give a new dimension to sustainable water management in Delhi. "Water conservation is not merely an environmental necessity but the foundation of a secure future for coming generations," Gupta said, adding that the initiative would strengthen groundwater conservation while creating awareness among students about responsible use of water resources. She said the model would not remain limited to 75 schools and expressed hope that it would eventually be expanded to nearly 800 Delhi government schools. Sood said CM Shri Schools are being developed as institutions equipped with modern facilities and aligned with the National Education Policy, Science of Living and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He added that the government has set a target of converting 1,000 government schools in Delhi into zero-waste campuses. PTI SHB SHB MNK MNK