When it comes to ancient stepwells brought back to life as india begins to run out of water, a wave of joy swept across Bansilalpet, a neighborhood in Hyderabad, when the first trickle of clean water emerged from the restored 17th-century stepwell. After an arduous 18-month project to clear 3,000 tonnes of debris and refurbish the stone walls, the well now serves as a source of drinking water for the first time in over forty years. "It was such a joyous moment to see water collecting into the stepwell after clearing 40 years of garbage," said Hajira Adeeb, a 45-year-old local resident who witnessed the transformation of this historic water source into a dumping ground during her childhood. "I visit almost every day. The area is clean and lit up in the evenings. I enjoy sitting there."
Stepwells are an iconic part of India's architectural heritage, originally designed to provide easy access to groundwater. Constructed predominantly between the 11th and 18th centuries, these multi-storey structures feature steps and platforms that descend to the water level, often built near natural aquifers. Unfortunately, many of these wells fell into disuse during British colonial rule, which deemed them unhygienic. The situation worsened in the late 20th century as people began to use them as refuse sites. Although numerous wells have been lost to neglect, the Stepwell Atlas has cataloged more than 3,000 remaining examples across India, with about 100 located in the southern state of Telangana, nearly half of which are in Hyderabad. Originally reported by The Guardian.
Understanding Ancient Stepwells Brought Back To Life As India Begins To Run Out Of Water
The restoration of the Bansilalpet stepwell marks a significant achievement in the revival of these ancient structures. The project was spearheaded by architect Kalpana Ramesh, who has dedicated herself to reviving 25 stepwells in Telangana as sustainable water sources. Supported by the Telangana Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, as well as the Rainwater Project, a social enterprise she co-founded, Ramesh's efforts have breathed new life into these historical assets.
Ramesh has been harvesting rainwater in her own home for domestic use for the past 15 years, minimizing her reliance on tankers that supply water to the community. "I was sure that the system of harvesting rain to recharge groundwater would work on a larger scale, even today when the built-up area in cities has left very little natural ground for rainwater to seep in," she explained. The Bansilalpet stepwell now maintains a consistent water depth of nine meters (28 feet) during the summer months, providing a reliable source of clean water.
Challenges Facing India's Water Supply
As India grapples with one of the worst water crises in its history, the revival of stepwells presents a glimmer of hope. Home to over 1.4 billion people, India accounts for nearly 18% of the global population but possesses only 4% of the world's freshwater resources. More than 600 million Indians experience high to extreme water stress, and projections indicate that water demand will double by 2030.
Compounding the crisis are erratic monsoon patterns, outdated infrastructure, and the cultivation of water-intensive crops. With groundwater depletion at alarming rates, states like Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh are on the brink of 'day zero'-a term used to describe the point at which a region runs out of water. The Central Ground Water Board has indicated that areas such as Rajasthan and Gujarat, along with southern states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, face similar challenges.
A Template for Future Revivals
The Bansilalpet stepwell serves as a pioneering model for the revival of other stepwells in Telangana and beyond. While it is currently the only stepwell in the state providing drinking water, Ramesh aims to raise funds to install filtration systems in all 25 wells to ensure their water is safe for consumption. "If the water from all the stepwells became potable, it would then encourage people to preserve these systems," she noted. The initiative not only aims to bolster local water supplies but also to rekindle community interest in preserving these historical structures.
The Telangana government is implementing a multi-faceted approach to address the ongoing water scarcity. This includes the establishment of 500,000 rainwater harvesting projects, innovative plans for supplying grey water to data centers, and revitalizing local rivers. The future of India's water supply may very well depend on the revival of its ancient stepwells and the dedication of individuals like Kalpana Ramesh.
Originally reported by The Guardian. View original.