In a significant step towards promoting water conservation and sustainable development, the Delhi Government has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) and Ehsaas NGO to implement rainwater harvesting systems across 75 CM Shri Schools under IGL’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
The agreement, signed under the ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign, aims to strengthen groundwater recharge while creating awareness about environmental sustainability among students and teachers. The initiative includes the restoration of existing rainwater harvesting systems, installation of new rooftop harvesting infrastructure, and educational programmes focused on water conservation.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who described water conservation as a critical responsibility for ensuring a sustainable future. She said the project reflects the government’s commitment to combining quality education with environmental protection while supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Catch the Rain’ mission.
Highlighting the government’s long-term vision, the Chief Minister announced that the programme would not remain limited to 75 schools. The model is expected to be gradually expanded to nearly 800 Delhi government schools, making rainwater harvesting an integral part of the capital’s public education infrastructure.
As part of the project, experts will conduct technical audits of existing rainwater harvesting systems in the selected schools. The initiative also includes cleaning and restoring recharge pits, filtration units and other water conservation structures while installing modern rooftop rainwater harvesting systems wherever required.
Ehsaas NGO will be responsible for implementing the project, ensuring construction quality, operational efficiency and compliance with safety standards. The Directorate of Education (DoE) will provide administrative support, facilitate implementation within school campuses and take responsibility for maintaining the systems after completion.
According to officials, each participating school is expected to recharge nearly two lakh litres of groundwater annually, helping improve groundwater levels and contribute to Delhi’s long-term water security.
Speaking on the occasion, Education Minister Ashish Sood said the government is transforming CM Shri Schools into modern educational institutions equipped with digital infrastructure while integrating environmental sustainability, the National Education Policy (NEP), Science of Living and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the learning process.
The initiative highlights the growing role of Corporate Social Responsibility in supporting environmental conservation and demonstrates how public-private partnerships can contribute to building resilient urban infrastructure while educating future generations about responsible resource management.
Disclaimer: This report has been editorially prepared using publicly available information. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, unintentional errors or omissions may occur. Readers are encouraged to verify important information through official sources.
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