Save Water - Mumbai following Delhi's way...

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is considering laying separate water pipeline to supply potable and non potable water to citizens on the line of Delhi.
Municipal commissioner Swadheen Kshatriya announced it on the demand made by Union Minister of State for Communications and IT Gurudas Kamat who is also MP from Mumbai Northwest constituency. Kamat met Kshatriya to discuss various issues related to the city and his constituency.
“I suggested the BMC to adopt the Delhi pattern under which recycled water is used for non potable purpose through separate lines to avoid wastage of potable water.” said Kamat.
The BMC said it is open to adopt the pattern used by civic government in Delhi. “I agree with the Kamat's suggestion as I saw two separate water lines for potable and non potable when I was in Delhi for some time. It will work in the city as well,“ said Kshatriya.
The civic body has planned for recycling plant at six locations in the city to supply water for non potable purpose.
“As phase I, we will commence recycle plants with BOT basis and then will be laid pipeline for supply,“ Kshatirya added. The civic body is also considering giving rights to private agency to sell non potable water to the industrial area.
The city is currently reeling under an unprecedented water crisis, with a 15 per cent cuts imposed on the residential users and a 30 per cent on the commercial users.
Apart from water issue Kamat has also demanded that the civic body should keep open spaces reserved under Recreation Ground, Play Ground and Gardens as open. “Also those, whose leases are still on, should be strictly monitored and public access should be ensured. While those who have developed private clubs and whose lease ended should be taken place in spite of 810 years possession like Matoshree sports club in Jogeshwari, such allotments should be cancelled forthwith, “said Kamat.
Kamat also submitted a Memorandum expressing concern about the Water situation in Mumbai and the need to desilt all lakes and reservoirs, to ensure the storage capacity of water.
To strictly ensure usage of Solar Electricity in all new buildings as agreed to by the government of Maharashtra.
To ensure that Recreation Grounds and Playgrounds are accessible to the common man and no private clubs be allowed. BMC: Developer should declare carpet area The BMC will ensure that no proposals for the development will be accepted, unless the developer would declare the carpet floor space index to be sale. This will be strictly monitored by the civic body Building Proposal department, said BMC chief Swadheen Kshatriya.
Gurudas Kamat MP, led a delegation comprising of Congress MLA's and corporators met municipal chief to discuss various issues including carpet area issue. “Though the rule exists about flat purchasing and selling should be as per carpet area is not implemented properly,“ alleged Kamat.

From Hindustan Times, 15th May, 2010

Pre-Namaz in a eco-friendly way...

Kuala Lumpur: A Malaysian company has invented a machine it says will help Muslims purify themselves before prayers without excessively wasting water.
The ornate, green-coloured machine comes with automatic sensors and basins to curb water usage during wudu, an Arabic word used to describe the act of washing the face, arms and legs before prayers.
The wudu, or ablution, rite preceeds the five daily prayers Muslims are obligated to perform. There are more than 1.7 billion Muslims in the world, with the majority in Africa and the Middle East where water supplies are scarce.
Inventors AACE Technologies is counting on rich countries in these two regions to snap up the machines that will be available in the next six months and will cost $3,000-$4,000 a piece.
“Saving water is a motivation for people to adopt this system rather than the conventional methods, where there’s a lot of water wastage”, AACE chairman Anthony Gomez said while launching the product in the Malaysian capital.
The device, which also emits recorded Koranic verses, is 5 ft 5in tall. It only uses 1.3 litres of water compared to the conventional methods, which usually involve leaving faucets running for the duration of the washing ritual, which can last
for several minutes.
“During the Haj, two million people used 50 million litres water a day for wudu. If they introduce this machine they are saving 40 million litres per day”, he said.
The Gulf city of Dubai has shown interest in acquiring the product for its airport, Gomez said, adding that the machine took two years to develop at the cost of $2.5 million.
AACE also wants to target mosques and offices with wallmountable models. “The idea is good and it is built in line with Islamic teachings. But water here is cheap, so it is not worthwhile to have this machine”, an office worker, Aminuddin, said. REUTERS

Source: TOI, 2nd Feb, 2010