Report finds efficient rainwater harvesting structures missing along Metro lines Premium

A survey by Action Aid India has found that efficient Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) structures are missing along the new elevated Metro lines in the city.

A survey by Action Aid India has found that efficient Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) structures are missing along the new elevated Metro lines in the city.

The study was conducted between June 9 and 14 to understand the status of RWH structures along the Green and Purple Lines of Namma Metro. Covering a stretch of 41 km along the Green Line between Silk Institute and Nagasandra Station, and the Purple Line between Kengeri and Magadi Station, the survey covered 1189 pillars.

While model RWH structures exist in the Reach-1 of Namma Metro between Mahatma Gandhi Road and Byappanahalli stations, the report found that no similar structures exist along the surveyed stretch on Green Line and Purple Line.

“There is a model arrangement for rainwater harvesting in Reach 1. However, this kind of a prototype is missing along the rest of the stretch,” said Raghavendra B. Pachhapur, programme officer at Action Aid.

It was found that along the surveyed stretch, rainwater collected from the metro pillars drains to the medians which are 4x4ft concrete structures filled partially with gravel stone. However, the structures don’t meet the criteria of an efficient RWH system and water is seen overflowing onto the road.

The survey also found a tank approximately 4ft in width and 10ft in length between pillars no 61 and 62 between Jaya Nagar and Southend Circle on the Green Line. However, no RWH pit was found in the centre of the median. The tank was also found to be in unhygienic condition.

The report notes that while pits are being constructed near a few pillars along both lines, most of them are filled with trash or debris.