SOCIETIES CRY FOUL ON DJB NOTICES

Dwarka has always been a victim of government apathy. MCD, DDA and now DJB are trying to extort money as a penalty from societies. The recent case, where the Rain Water Harvesting system of the societies have been inspected and around 30% of the societies have been found not matching the current norms of DJB. Instructions have been issued to zonal revenue officers concerned to withdraw the rebate from such societies. A joint inspection by the NGT/ DJB and DPCC has found that the rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems installed in over a dozen societies in Dwarka are ill-maintained and are causing groundwater contamination. “The RWH systems were found as per design of the Delhi Jal Board/ Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) but common pipelines for rooftop rainwater harvesting structure and other wastewater including washing area and floor washing area were found connected. As a result, the common pipeline may be contaminating the groundwater in the form of Ammonical Nitrogen and TDS,”

Sudha Sinha, a former President of Federation of CGHS Limited, who resigned in December, 2022 said, “Societies can only maintain the structure, but only DJB can tell why ammonical nitrogen is high. Such inspections should be done regularly and not on NGT orders alone. We have also found that some RWH systems have faulty designs and the sewer systems may mix with the groundwater. DJB should provide funds to rectify such problems.”           
Sudha Sinha, Former Presiden, Federation of CGHS Ltd. 

DJB's HUKAMNAMA
In layman's terms, DJB's recent order directs the public to connect only roof top water to rain water harvesting systems and all other waste water flowing from balconies, paved and parking areas should be separated from the RWH system.  Presently, as per the approved design implemented almost two decades back, the waste water from all referred places is flowing into RWH pits. It is practically impossible to alter the design without huge financial outgo in a short period.  Sadly, penalty provisions are specified on failure to execute the orders. Going back into the background, Delhi Jal Board as part of a sub- committee formed at the directions of NGT to take effective steps to stop contamination of groundwater, issued revised guidelines to Cooperative Group Housing Societies of Delhi including Dwarka. Surprisingly, all commercial establishments have been exempted from the directives as if they are absolved of managing the waste and sewerage water.  
P K Chopra, Advisor, Federation of CGHS Dwarka Ltd.

The problem is some market associations are hyper active in these Federation elections that’s why no-one is talking about encroachment in Dwarka markets, encroachment on almost every footpath of Dwarka; filth spread all across Dwarka; parking shortage in Dwarka markets and all the parking lots grabbed by shopkeepers … etc.Why has no one been serious about it for the last two decades - because all this is a big money spinner for commercial operators-they want to place their own men in the Federation so that no one raise these issues for us. The Federation of CGHS did constructive work in the past and we want the voice of the residents of Dwarka not the voice of ‘some businessmen’. Need of the hour is to understand concerns of government agencies and to make them understand our problems in implementing their plans-If required we can always request for modification in plans and financial support for societies also to implement. We just have to beware of business entities in Dwarka for whom it’s a money spinning region but for us—this is our home where we have to breathe and live our life… 
Jai Kumar Sharma, DJA Appt, Sector-13

“Most CGHSs were getting run-off water from rooftops and that the government should assist the particular society in case contamination was reported. The government should first look at societies that do not even have an RWH system in place. DJB should also work with each RWA and identify the possible sources of contamination, beyond regular cleaning,”
Rejimon CK, Founder, Dwarka Forum

The issue of RWH in Dwarka started 6th January 2023 and a decision came after 2-3 months. The management of Federation was dissolved in December, 2022.

06.01.2023: DPCC directed DJB and DM (South West) to issue instructions to CGHS, Dwarka to make arrangements for separate pipelines for rooftop rainwater reaching to RWH structure and a separate disposal of sewage/other waste water.

14.02.2023: DJB issued Public Notice directing residential societies with non-functional or partially functional RWH systems to take remedial action by March 31 and furnish compliance reports to DJB

31.03.2023: DJB issued individual notices to the societies where contamination was found and to report compliance by 31.05.2023. 

28.04.2023: DJB requests Federation of CGHS Dwarka Ltd. to ensure that no contamination of ground water takes place through RWH of defaulting societies.

28.06.2023: The Federation of CGHS Dwarka Ltd, Secretary replied to the communication of DJB.

03.07.2023: The Secretary of CGHS Dwarka Ltd. has requested to give a chance to present and reopen the case before NGT.