Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday, 21 May announced that the Delhi government will restore and operationalise rainwater harvesting systems in 75 CM Shri Schools across the capital, with the initiative projected to generate an annual harvesting capacity of nearly 50 crore litres. The move marks one of the most concrete water conservation steps taken by the current administration since assuming office.

What the Audit Found

Technical teams have completed inspections of all 75 schools and submitted their reports. The audit revealed that while most schools already had rainwater harvesting infrastructure in place, a large number had remained non-functional for years due to poor upkeep. Several harvesting pits were found completely blocked, while others were filled with plastic waste, silt, debris, and garbage. In some cases, school authorities were reportedly unaware that such structures even existed on their premises.

The inspection also found that at many locations, rainwater was flowing directly into drains, entirely defeating the purpose of conservation. Design-related deficiencies were identified in several structures as well.

The 'Ehsaas' Model and How It Works

The government will adopt the 'Ehsaas' model for rainwater harvesting across these schools. Approved by the Delhi Jal Board in 2021, the model is noted for its low cost, minimal space requirement, and near-zero maintenance needs. Under the system, rainwater collected from rooftops will be filtered and channelled into storage units and borewells, helping recharge groundwater and potentially reviving dry borewells.

A detailed presentation on the project was recently made before Chief Minister Gupta, outlining the current condition of existing structures, shortcomings identified during inspections, and the roadmap for restoration.

Why Delhi's Rainfall Numbers Make This Viable

Gupta highlighted that Delhi receives an average annual rainfall of approximately 775 mm. A rooftop area of roughly 2,500 square feet can conserve nearly 2,00,000 litres of rainwater per year — enough, she noted, to meet the annual water needs of a family of five. The harvested water can be used for drinking, gardening, cleaning, flushing, and several other purposes.

Broader Objectives

The Chief Minister said the government's goals extend beyond infrastructure repair. The initiative is also intended to strengthen groundwater recharge, and foster greater awareness about water conservation among students and the wider community. With Delhi facing perennial water stress during summer months, embedding conservation practices within school campuses is seen as a long-term behavioural intervention. The government has not yet announced a specific timeline for completion of the restoration work.