Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has revealed that about 100 city buildings have non-functional rainwater harvesting systems. As a response, an inspection drive is planned for July to ensure that all systems are operational. The corporation also introduced a 5% property tax rebate for buildings with functional systems and warns of fines for non-compliance. NMC’s previous similar drive in 2019 found over 60 buildings with defunct systems. This new initiative underscores NMC’s commitment to conservation and sustainable use of water resources in the city.
In an alarming revelation, Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) reports that approximately 100 buildings in the city have defunct rainwater harvesting systems. The civic body has pledged to conduct an extensive inspection drive in July to ascertain the functionality of such systems installed across the city.
Nashik, a rapidly urbanizing city, has seen the implementation of rainwater harvesting systems in more than 1,000 buildings, with the town planning department of NMC confirming their operational status in 90% of these buildings. However, the non-functioning systems in roughly 10% of these buildings have raised serious concerns for the civic body.
In a determined effort to combat this issue, NMC has announced an inspection drive for July. The aim is to ensure that all installed rainwater harvesting systems, especially in the remaining 10% of buildings, are fully operational. Additionally, officials warn of potential fines for properties found with inoperative systems.
NMC recently introduced a property tax incentive, offering a 5% rebate to buildings equipped with functional rainwater harvesting systems starting this fiscal year. However, buildings will only be eligible for this concession if the system is in working order. An inspection team from the town planning department is expected to verify the system's functionality prior to awarding the rebate.
In addition, the corporation has initiated efforts to incentivize the usage of rainwater harvesting systems among residents to increase the city's ground water levels. Although the installation of a rainwater harvesting system is currently mandatory only for buildings situated on plots of 500 square meters or more, NMC urges all buildings, big and small, to embrace this environmentally friendly measure.
Previously, in 2019, an NMC-led drive found over 60 buildings with defunct rainwater harvesting systems, each of which was penalized with a fine of Rs 1,000. However, the inspection drive for the following year was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With the recent decision, NMC is resolute to inspect all buildings for the state of their rainwater harvesting systems.
In conclusion, NMC's upcoming inspection drive aims to rectify the situation of defunct rainwater harvesting systems in Nashik's buildings, encourage wider adoption, and ensure the city is better equipped to sustain its water resources for the future.
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