Nagpur: In a significant move, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation has decided to renovate and promote the historical wells and step-wells located in the city.
According to information, only 52 historical wells in Nagpur City have been recorded in the NMC limits. But looking at the Bhosle period, there are still many wells, whose information is not with the civic body. The NMC plans to install RO plants at all the wells after cleaning them. The move could solve the problem of drinking water to a great extent. Dr. Pravin Dabli, a member of Zero Mile Foundation and Jal Mitra, has thanked Mayor Dayashankar Tiwari for giving this issue a priority. Dr Dabli hoped that the NMC administration would also implement this plan under a time bound programme.
It may be recalled that Dr. Dabli, had on May 15, 2021 submitted an online memorandum to Mayor Tiwari and Guardian Minister Nitin Raut, demanding restoration and promotion of the historical wells of the city aimed at resolving the problem of drinking water in the city. Dr. Dabli had said in his memorandum “Dig a well when thirsty.” He had further said that every now and then appeals are made and public awareness is being done to save water and its conservation. On the other hand, we are ignoring thousands of historical wells located in our city. Today the wells are shedding tears over their plight. Many were buried in the garbage heap and many broken down, Dr Dabli lamented.
Most historical wells in Gandhibagh Zone:
Dr. Dabli said that according to the NMC, there are 43 historical wells in the Gandhibagh Zone. Only 9 have been identified in all other nine zones. While there is no historical well in Dharampeth, two are in Dhantoli, one in Nehrunagar, one in Satranjipura, one in Lakadganj, two in Asinagar, Laxminagar, Hanumannagar and Mangalwari zone. However, there is no record of many such wells with the NMC.
The city’s 854 public wells:
Dr. Dabli said that every year in summer the problem of water remains standing. At many places water has to be supplied by tankers. Work is being done on a 24×7 scheme in the city. On the other hand, the splendour of the city and the water requirements of the city, hundreds of wells are shedding tears on their condition today. As per the records of Nagpur Municipal Corporation, there are total 854 public wells in the city. The condition of these wells is such that none of the well water is potable.
Dr Pravin Dabli further stated that in the NMC’s 10 Zones, there are public wells in every zone. 83 in Laxminagar Zone, 91 in Dharampeth zone, 54 in Hanuman Nagar zone, 70 in Dhantoli Zone, 85 in Nehrunagar zone, 154 in Gandhibagh zone, 94 in Satranjipura zone, 74 in Lakadganj zone, 104 in Asinagar zone and 45 in Mangalwari zone. Total 854 public wells have been reported in Nagpur city. It does not provide information on private wells located in homes. The water of none of the above wells is potable.
333 pumps on the wells:
He stated said that out of 854 wells in the city, about 333 motor pumps have been installed. Through these pumps, about 24623 households were informed about the benefit of the well water. At the same time, 82,065 people have been told to benefit from it. The electricity bill of lakhs of rupees for all these pumps is also paid by the civic body. The pumps have solved the problem of water to some extent in some areas. The maximum number of pumps is in the Gandhibagh zone, where 50,000 people are being claimed to benefit from it.
Information about historical wells of is incomplete:
Information about historical wells and bawlis located in all wards of the city should be submitted to the Corporators and zone officers. Many wells are still in government areas, whose information is not with the NMC. In the Asinagar zone also, many establishments of the British era were present due to which there are many historical wells in this area as well. The largest well of 70×70 feet diameter is present in Motibagh Railway Colony.
This well has the ability to supply water to the entire area. There are many huge Bhosale era wells in the city. Dr. Pravin Dabli has demanded that Municipal Administration and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board should be made aware of the condition of the wells and make them potable by reviving them.
Bhosle period historical well in NMC records:
- Dharampeth Zone: Tekdi Road & Sangam Chawl
- Dhantoli Zone:- Gond Basti and Raghujinagar
- Nehrunagar Zone:- Bahubali Kuan, Nandanvan Colony
- Gandhibagh Zone:- Panchang Basti, behind Kothiwan Badminton Hall, Dakshinamurthy, Trivedi Wada, Ram Mandir Galli (Old Hislop College), Joharipura, Khirulalwadi Gadikhana, Jankibai Dharamshala, Ramaji Wadi, Vithhal Mandir, Col Bagh, Mama Pan Mandir Dasara Road, Bhutia Masoom Kua (Dasra Road), Shelke House, Mahadev Mandir, Ghate House Kothi Road, Shirke Road near Hedgewar Memorial, Rajendra High School, Nimbalkar House, Dasara Road, Gayatri Convent, Rahatekar Wadi, Bhosale Vihar, Alimiya Khamb, Khode Udyan, Ratan Colony, Agnimata Mandir, Shivaji Nagar, Ganpati Mandir Shivaji Nagar, Nandajinagar, Ram Mandir, Naik Road, Kharat Bhawan, Fort Mankar, Kothekar Sangh Building, Joshi Sangh Building, Mule Wada, Munje Auditorium near, Phule Galli, Talatule Risaldar Galli, Pathak House, Risaldar Galli, Waghmare House Risaldar Galli, Chitnis Park Stadium, Ramesh Jire Ganji Peth, Mahadev Mandir Ganjipeth School, Mokshadham, Gujarwadi.
- Satranjipura:-in Division 21
- Lakadganj: Gujarnagar
- Asinagar:- Vaishalinagar, Ganobawad
