Rainwater harvesting must for new buildings

PUNE: The standing committee on Tuesday approved a resolution to make rainwater harvesting system mandatory for all new constructions and existing government owned buildings in the city. The committee also approved the heritage walk proposal.

The committee's chairman Baburao Chandere said, "The members unanimously approved the resolution that new buildings that will come up in the city must have rainwater harvesting. Old buildings owned by the government and civic body should develop them."

Ward level funds allocated to corporators for development works could be used for cleaning of wells, the committee resolved. "Water scarcity is looming large and the municipal commissioner has ordered the acquisition of wells. Corporators can use their local funds to clean wells and make the water potable," said Chandere.

The committee also approved a heritage walk proposal, but without a tonga ride. The idea is to introduce the old historical city of Pune to tourists and the new generation and to showcase rich heritage structures located in the old city. The heritage walk will be started with the help of Janwani of the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture.

A proposal about implementing the project on daily basis came up before the standing committee. There are around 250 heritage structures in old Pune including the historic Lal Mahal, Shaniwarwada, Vishrambaugwada, Kasba Ganpati and Mahatma Phule Mandai. A heritage walk will be undertaken on the 2.5 km stretch from Shaniwarwada to Vishrambaugwada which also includes Shivaji Pul-Ghorpade Ghat, Lal Mahal, Kasba Ganpati, Nana Wada, Nagar Wachan Mandir, Belbaug, Mahatma Phule Mandai and Tulshibaug Ram temple.

Chandere said the tonga ride was cancelled because citizens and tourists would have to pay heavy fees.