New Delhi, May 21 -- As Delhi braces for the monsoon, the city government has launched a major rainwater conservation initiative aimed at transforming schools into hubs of sustainable water management. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday announced that rainwater harvesting systems in 75 CM Shri Schools across the Capital will be revived and made fully functional before the rainy season, with the project expected to conserve nearly 50 crore litres of water annually.

The initiative is part of the Delhi government's broader push to strengthen groundwater recharge and promote water conservation awareness among students and local communities. "The objective is not only to conserve rainwater but also to build long-term awareness about responsible water use among children and society," CM Rekha Gupta said.

According to officials, a comprehensive audit of rainwater harvesting systems in all 75 schools has already been completed. The inspection revealed that while many schools had existing structures, several had remained unused or poorly maintained for years. In many cases, pits were clogged with silt, plastic waste and debris, while rainwater was found flowing directly into drains instead of being conserved.

The Chief Minister said Delhi receives nearly 775 mm of annual rainfall and even a rooftop area of around 2,500 square feet can help conserve approximately two lakh litres of water every year. "This amount can meet the annual water needs of a family of five," she noted.

The government plans to implement the 'Ehsaas' rainwater harvesting model, approved by the Delhi Jal Board in 2021. The system is considered cost-effective, space-efficient and low-maintenance. Under the model, rainwater collected from rooftops will be filtered and channelled into storage systems and borewells to support groundwater recharge.

Officials said corrective measures will include desilting pits, replacing filter media, repairing drainage connections and improving maintenance access. The government will also create a dedicated maintenance budget for the systems.

"The Delhi Government is committed to turning water conservation into a people's movement," the Chief Minister said, adding that awareness workshops for students, teachers and parents will also be organised as part of the campaign.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.