HYDERABAD: Restoration of an 18th century stepwell in Bansilalpet, Secunderabad has come in for praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Referring to the efforts of water conservation being adopted in various parts of the country, the Prime Minister mentioned the restoration of historic stepwell during his monthly radio programme ‘Mann ki Baat’ on Sunday.
He recalled how the stepwell became a dumpyard filled with garbage but now after restoration, it is looking great. Highlighting the importance of water conservation, the Prime Minister said that many people in the country made water conservation a life mission, many stepwells are centuries old and part of the heritage.
The Bansilalpet stepwell was restored by The Rainwater Project in co-operation with MAUD Department and public participation. The State government has taken up restoration of the stepwell which was in dilapidated and pathetic condition. The restoration process involved various methods to recharge the groundwater as well. The State government is now planning to turn it into a major tourist attraction.
“We are thrilled to see Bansilalpet Stepwell Restoration talked about by the Prime Minister,’’ tweeted Kalpana Ramesh, founder of Rainwater Project.
Restored Bansilalpet stepwell to improve groundwater quality
The founder of Rainwater Project said that the heritage stepwell in Hyderabad has got a fresh lease of life. “Under the restoration initiative, the organisation took up removal of a few thousand tonnes of garbage and debris dumped here for the last few decades, dewatering and desilting of the well and also structural strengthening of retaining walls,” Kalpana Ramesh said.
A freshwater source was located at a depth of 20-25 feet and the overall water carrying capacity of the well thus rose to 22 lakh litres. This will not only reduce the problem of urban flooding, but also improve groundwater quality, and create local water security. The well has an annual rainwater harvesting potential of 35 lakh litres.
In the last two years, the Rainwater Project also revived a few more such wells in and around Hyderabad with support from other NGOs and private donors. The organisation also worked on the restoration of wells in Gachibowli, Kondapur, Kokapet as well as Baaram Baavi in Narayanpet. A heritage well at Gachibowli has a water storage capacity of up to eight lakh litres.
A few months ago, over 50 workers and earthmovers have been deployed for cleaning of the Bansilalpet stepwell. The civic body removed tonnes of garbage and they were able to clear the waste up to a depth of 20 feet. Around 100 lorries of waste accumulated in the water body were lifted and transported, and the other works are progressing at a brisk pace. After removing the garbage, required conservation works are being taken up. The State government has drawn up a plan to illuminate and turned it into a tourist attraction.
Animal Husbandry Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav and MAUD Special Chief Secretary Arvind Kumar had instructed officials to restore the Bansilalpet stepwell. They said that the government is planning to restore 50 to 60 such stepwells which are heritage structures.
