High Court Grants Time To Centre & Delhi Govt For Filing Status Reports In Suo Moto Case On Lack Of Rainwater Harvesting Efforts In City

The Delhi High Court on Monday granted four weeks time to the Centre, Delhi Government and other authorities for filing status reports in a suo moto case concerning the issue of lack of rainwater harvesting efforts taken by the departments in the city.

A division bench comprising of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad ordered thus:

"Respondents are granted four weeks time to file their status reports."

The matter has now be posted for further hearing on July 29.

The development ensued in a suo moto cognizance taken recently by a division bench of Justice Jasmeet Singh and Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma, after noting that monsoon rain water is not harvested properly within the city. The Bench had taken note of an article published in the Times of India on June 18, 2022.

High Court Takes Suo Moto Cognizance Of Lack Of Rainwater Harvesting Efforts In Delhi, Seeks Report On Steps To Ease Traffic Jams During Monsoon

The Court had taken note of the fact that due to the monsoon season and otherwise, there are huge traffic snarls in the city. It also added that the said issue can easily be controlled and regulated instantly through rain water management as well as with the assistance of Google Maps which shows traffic jams in various parts of the city.

The Court had therefore issued notice to the Centre through Ministry of Urban Development and Ministry of Road Transport, Delhi Government, DDA Commissioner of MCD, Principal Secretary of PWD, Commissioner of Police, Spl. C.P. (Traffic), Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Cantonment Board, NDMC and Flood Irrigation Department.

Status reports are sought to be filed by the departments on the following two aspects:

- steps taken by the agencies to store and harvest rainwater;

- the steps undertaken to address and ease traffic jams/snarls in Delhi during monsoons and other periods.

Case Title: COURT ON ITS OWN MOTION v. GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS.