In the Banzialpet area of Hyderabad, a historic 17th-century stepwell has become a source of drinking water for the first time in 40 years, write The Guardian.
Kalpana Ramesh, the architect who led the initiative to restore Telangana's stepwells (center, in green), with the women and men who helped clean up the area. Photo: Kalpana Ramesh
During this time, about 3,000 tons of garbage were removed from it and the stone walls were restored. Today, the water level in the well consistently reaches nine meters, even in the summer months.
India is famous for its stepwells, multi-level structures with steps leading to underground water. Most of them were built between the 11th and 18th centuries near natural aquifers.
Chand Baori is a famous 13-tiered stepwell in Abaner, Rajasthan, which has appeared in several Bollywood films. Photo: Dinodia Photos / Alamy
According to the Stepwell Atlas project and the organization Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, over 3,000 stepwells survive in India. About a hundred are located in the state of Telangana, almost half in Hyderabad.
However, most of them are now tourist attractions and are not used as water sources.
In Bansilalpet, even in the summer months, the water level remains at least 9 meters. Photo: Kalpana Ramesh
Architect Kalpana Ramesh is leading the well rehabilitation effort in Telangana. With the support of the state's Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department and social enterprise Rainwater Project, she has already revived 25 wells.
Banzilalpet became the first well in the state to be made potable. Ramesh plans to install additional filtration systems at all the rehabilitated sites.
It took 18 months to clear the 3,000 tonnes of waste that had accumulated in the Bansilalpet stepwell. Photo: Kalpana Ramesh
The country on the verge of "zero day"
India, home to over 1,4 billion people (nearly 18% of the world’s population), has only 4% of the world’s freshwater reserves. More than 600 million citizens already live in conditions of severe or critical water stress.
The restored Ammapalli Stepwell, located within the grounds of the Sita Rama Chandra Swamy Temple in Hyderabad, is believed to date back to the 13th century. Photo: Kalpana Ramesh
According to estimates by the Central Groundwater Board of India, the states of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana may be close to complete depletion of groundwater reserves.
Water demand could double by 2030 due to erratic monsoons, intensive agriculture and urban growth.
The Kondapur Stepwell, which was filled with construction waste and heavily polluted before Ramesh began his restoration. Photo: Kalpana Ramesh
A systems approach to water conservation
The Telangana government is implementing a comprehensive strategy that includes:
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launching about 500,000 rainwater harvesting projects;
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cleaning of lakes and rivers;
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tank restoration;
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fines for wasteful use of drinking water.
The essence of the modern model is to return rainwater to the underground horizons through a system of filters made of sand, gravel, and stones that feed the aquifers.
At the same time, experts emphasize that the revival of wells is only part of the solution. A complete transformation of the urban water ecosystem is necessary, including the purification of water bodies, modernization of infrastructure, and active participation of communities.
Construction of a rainwater infiltration pit designed to intercept runoff from the surrounding area and filter it. Photo: Kalpana Ramesh
Step wells were once built in open areas where the natural topography allowed rainwater to seep into the soil. Today, concrete and asphalt prevent this process, so rainwater must be purposefully collected and directed to underground tanks.
According to Kalpana Ramesh, the potential of rainwater for cities is enormous: "It cannot be allowed to be lost in the sewers. It has the potential to work for cities."
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