IMC to convert 300 dried-up borewells into rainwater recharge units

Indore: Ahead of monsoon, Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) has launched a groundwater recharge drive with focus on conversion of 300 defunct or dried-up borewells into rainwater recharge structures.

“To ensure these abandoned shafts do not become safety hazards, IMC has partnered with IIT Indore to implement strict safety measures,” commissioner Kshitij Singhal told TOI.

Additionally, the corporation is constructing 150 recharge shafts and restoring traditional stepwells and existing wells across the city. Preliminary work has also commenced on the fourth phase of the Narmada pipeline project to secure long-term external water supplies, he said.

IMC is shifting from voluntary compliance to strict enforcement. Roof water harvesting systems are now mandatory for all buildings spanning over 1,500 square feet. This policy is being heavily pushed in existing residential welfare societies and is compulsory for all new colonies.

To enforce compliance, IMC has already served notices to approximately 23,000 buildings currently lacking these installations. Property owners have been given a strict deadline of June 30 to set up rainwater harvesting systems.

“As per the bylaws, IMC will start penalizing the buildings that fail to install the systems,” said Singhal.

To ensure long-term sustainability, IMC has announced plans to draft a comprehensive water policy focusing heavily on decentralized groundwater recharging techniques. The policy draft will soon be presented to Mayor-in-Council (MIC) for approval.

Under Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan, IMC has launched a Water Conservation Ward Ranking Competition to incentivize community participation.

The civic body drive comes after the city faced one of its worst summer water shortages this year, which led to the closure of at least 50% of the city’s borewells due to plunging groundwater levels.