New Delhi:
Even as several parts of the country grapple with the flood-like situation, a 35-year-old Model Flood Bill aimed at minimising losses to life and property awaits implementation by most of the states.
The bill, prepared by the Central Water Commission (CWC) in 1975, will empower authorities to remove dwellings from flood-prone areas.
The bill, if implemented, will seek to replace dwellings in low-lying areas with parks and playgrounds, as absence of human settlement in such areas would cut down loss of lives
and property.
The CWC had circulated the model bill to all the states to help them enact the legislation.
Except for Manipur and Rajasthan, no state legislature has enacted the 'Model Bill on Flood Plain Zoning' so far, sources in the Central Water Commission told reporters.
Though Manipur enacted the legislation in 1978, the demarcation of flood zones is yet to be carried out. Rajasthan is yet to enforce the measure, though it has enacted the law.
Uttar Pradesh and Bihar had initiated the process of framing the legislation a few years ago but have not taken any further steps.
Bihar faced its worst floods in 2008. "Not much progress has been witnessed even after the Kosi (Bihar) floods of 2008," said an official of the Water Resources Ministry.
"There has been poor progress in this respect not withstanding the expressions of support by states for this approach. Worse still, there is the trend towards greater unplanned intrusions into the flood plains in recent years, which seem to be ignored, if not encouraged even by state agencies," a note prepared on the model bill by the CWC observed.
As per the model bill, different types of buildings and utility services have been grouped under three priorities from the point of view of damage likely to occur.
The bill provides clauses about flood zoning authorities, surveys and delineation of flood plain area, notification of limits of flood plains, prohibition of the use of the flood plains, compensation and most importantly removing obstructions to ensure free flow of water.
'Priority-I' areas including defence installations, industries and public utilities such as hospitals, power houses, airports and railway stations are to be located in such a way that they are above the highest flood level in the last 100 years.
'Priority-II' areas include public institutions, government offices, educational institutions, public libraries and residential areas.
The buildings are proposed to be above a level corresponding to a 25-year high flood level or a 10-year rainfall record with a mandatory clause that all buildings in vulnerable zones be constructed on columns or stilts.
'Priority-III' areas would include parks and playgrounds.
While these would provide the city with green lungs, it would ensure that the areas most prone to floods are not populated.
The CWC had initiated preparation of topographic maps on a 1:15,000 scale to enable state governments identify flood prone areas. But the scheme was abandoned in 1991 due to poor
response from the states.