Chennai: The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has launched a major rainwater harvesting initiative that will see rainwater harvesting systems installed in 200 public parks across the city, aimed at boosting groundwater recharge and water conservation in urban open spaces.
According to civic officials, the project — spearheaded by the stormwater drain (SWD) department — has been allocated a budget of ₹20 crore, with an average of ₹10 lakh per park earmarked for the construction of rainwater harvesting pits. These pits will be dug to a depth of 10–12 feet and equipped with a ring-well system to promote effective percolation of rainwater into the ground. Protective mesh filters will be used to prevent debris from clogging the structures, which will be maintained regularly.
Officials said that tenders for the work are expected to be floated after the local elections, and the installations are targeted for completion by June this year. In addition to the park systems, the plan also includes advanced ECO BLOC-based systems and ‘sponge’ rainwater absorption features for select playgrounds across several city zones to further reduce surface runoff. Experts have advised that site-specific planning is crucial to ensure the effectiveness of the system and prevent clogging issues.
The initiative forms part of the corporation’s broader efforts to manage urban water resources sustainably and mitigate stress on groundwater reserves in the face of erratic rainfall patterns. News as reported
