Flyovers to help conserve water
Besides easing traffic flow, the upcoming flyovers in the city will have an important contribution to make towards conserving water. To begin with, the proposed flyover at Dhaula Kuan will be equipped with an artificial water recharge system for enhancing ground water level in the area.
Being built by the Public Works Department (PWD), the plan for the artificial recharge system at the flyover has been designed by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). The plan covers a total catchment area of about 13.75 hectare, and once fully functional, it will help conserve 39,244 cubic metre of rainwater annually that has until now been flowing unutilised into storm water drains.
PWD engineer-in-chief Deepak Narayan said the step was initiated keeping in mind the dwindling water levels in the city. While rainwater harvesting has been made mandatory for all new buildings in the city, no such specification has been issued for flyovers. PWD has decided to install water recharge schemes wherever the ground water level was low.
He said while the Dhaula Kuan flyover would be the first to put this scheme to use, conditions at the site of other upcoming flyovers, too, would be studied for suitability. All projects where deep underpasses are being constructed would have the scheme in place. The flyovers at Dhaula Kuan, Safdarjung and Punjabi Bagh would have underpasses and the recharge structures.
Areas that have a dip are prone to waterlogging during rainy season. Recharge systems in these areas will ensure that water does not accumulate.
Experts said rainwater harvesting at flyovers is not much different from rooftop harvesting. Depending on the quantity of rainfall, space available and the nature of the land in the area a structure is recommended.
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