Chennai: Strengthened by the active presence of youth wing by their side, Chitlapakkam Muthulakshmi Nagar Welfare Association launched the pilot project of erecting roadside rain water harvesting (RWH) pits at an event recently.
Though there was discussion on it for quite some time, the process was quickened after support given by members of the youth wing of Chitlapakkam Muthulakshmi Nagar Welfare Association.
Association secretary, D R Shivakumar, in his welcome address, appreciated the efforts taken by youth wing co-ordinators, S Mugundan and P Mahesh, and their members in bringing up a proposal for installing the roadside RWH pits and said they will be installed in various parts of Muthulakshmi Nagar.
Mugundan highlighted the fact that the water crisis had made the members think about conservation by digging such pits across the locality, with the support of the parent association.
Association vice-president V Ramajeyam presided over the function in the presence of another vice-president, V L Narasimhan.
Both of them emphasised the need for maintenance of RWH pits and requested the members not to throw garbage into the pits that have come up near the streets as that will block free flow of rainwater.
Association president L Sundararaman inaugurated the RWH pit project and thanked Executive Officer of Chitlapakkam Town Panchayat who gave permission, and also appreciated the youth wing for coming up with a plan quickly.
Sundararaman said though there was heavy floods during 2015, 2016 and 2017, there was severe drought and water scarcity in Chitlapakkam due to the monsoon failure in 2018.
“There was no provision to store rainwater, which resulted in the present crisis. To prevent rainwater that flows in the streets going into stormwater drains and getting wasted, the RWH pits were planned. We hope to carry this forward, step by step, to the entire locality with the support of all members, elected representatives and government officials,” he said.
A 5ft deep pit with 3ft diameter has been dug and five RCC rings (urai in Tamil) of 2.5ft diameter have been sunk. It is covered with a lid with holes and a wire mesh below the lid prevents garbage entering the pits. It would enable rainwater falling on the road to percolate into the pit.
Association treasurer R M Easwaran administered an oath to members of Chitlapakkam Muthulakshmi Nagar Welfare Association that they will not allow even a drop of rainwater go waste. Association members and representatives of Chitlapakkam Rising team attended the inaugural event.