Delhi-denmark tie-up to focus on groundwater
HT Correspondent
NEW DELHI: The Delhi government and Denmark will explore avenues of collaboration in groundwater recharge and power generation from stubble in the national capital, the government said in a statement on Monday, following a meeting between chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Ambassador of Denmark Freddy Swain at the Delhi secretariat.
A delegation of experts led by the ambassador gave a detailed presentation to Kejriwal and also apprised him of modern technologies for recharging groundwater using rainwater and generating power from paddy stubble -- both extremely needed technologies for a city like Delhi that faces a water shortage during summer and high pollution during winter months, majorly from stubble burning. The delegates also presented a promising solution of power generation from paddy straw, a move that will put stubble to alternative use. It can also be used as an advanced biofuel, the delegates said.
“Delhi government is working on a war footing to provide 24x7 water supply to every household in the city. We are keen to implement new solutions to augment our water supply capacity. The Delhi government will soon implement state-of-the-art solutions to enhance the city’s groundwater recharge and extraction infrastructure. Delhi depends on neighbouring states for raw water. We want to make Delhi self sustainable by radically increasing the water table by recharging groundwater,” Kejriwal said after the meeting.
It was decided that Delhi and Denmark will explore avenues of collaboration in the sectors of groundwater recharge and power generation from stubble.
During a recent meeting with Swain, the chief minister sought a presentation from Danish experts on their successful sustainability solutions in the fields of water, pollution and power.
Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and Dialogue and Development Commission of Delhi vice chairperson Jasmine Shah also attended the meeting on Monday.
Kejriwal studied and analysed how groundwater recharge, groundwater extraction and sewage management take place in Denmark.
“The main problem in Delhi is that groundwater recharging is not being implemented in a systematic and organised manner,” Kejriwal said.
The main problem in Delhi is that groundwater recharging is not being implemented systematically. Delhi CM