Need to spread message of water conservation far and wide: CM

New Delhi, Oct 16 (UNI) Delhi Chief Minister today stressed the need to spread the message of water conservation far and wide to help transform Delhi into a water efficient city.

''With a constant rise in population and a rapid growth in infrastructure in Delhi, the requirement of water is increasing day by day. However, there is a limit to the amount of water available to all of us. Hence the need to promote awareness of the judicious use of water,''the Chief Minister said at a function to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Delhi Jal Board and the Confederation of Indian Industry to help promote water efficiency in the capital.

Chief executive officer of the Delhi Jal Board Arun Mathur signed the MoU on behalf of the DJB while the chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry - Delhi State Council, Kartikeya Bharat Ram signed it on behalf of the CII.

Ms Dikdhit stressed the need for conservation of water and adoption of best practices and water technology towards both management and distribution of Delhi's water supply.

In this context, she emphasised on wide awareness and use of Rain-water Harvesting for which trade and industry and Delhi Jal Board should join hands to promote viable projects.

Noting that there had traditionally been considerable awareness in India about the need to conserve water as evidenced by the presence of 'baolis' and 'check dams' in villages, Ms Dikshit, however, emphasised on the need to put across the message to areas and colonies where people are not aware of water conservation and steps to be adopted in this regard.

''In many areas and colonies it is seen that the taps are on 24 hours a day. It is these people we need to reach out with the message of judicious use of water resources.

Lauding the efforts undertaken by the Delhi Jal Board for promoting water conservation in the city, Ms Dikshit said, ''however, they now need to take message on a wider level.'' Stressing the necessity of using the precious water with care, she advocated the formulation of reuse and recycling water policy for the industry and other large commercial users like hotels and Government institutions.

She said that use of modern technology in water heaters in Hotels, hospitals and Government institutions could go a long way in bringing about judicious use of water in Delhi.

''This is something that the CII can help us with,''she said.

Welcoming the initiative, DJB CEO Arun Mathur said the Board, in partnership with the CII, will work to create awareness about water conservation amongst students and promote water reuse/recycling in industrial and other areas.

The DJB and CII will form a joint task force to drive forward the agreed agenda and jointly monitor the activities on a quarterly basis.

UNI