Inauguration Of Bansilalpet Stepwell
After 12 months of working towards a vision of water conservation and sustainability, it gives me immense pleasure to announce that the restoration at Bansilalpet stepwell is complete. The inauguration of the stepwell, interpretation centre and the precinct was carried out on 5th December 2022 by Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development, KT Rama Rao.
The Bansilalpet stepwell restoration project was initiated by Hyderabad-based social enterprise, The Rainwater Project, in August 2021. Once the efforts took shape, the Gandipet Welfare Society (GWS), in coordination with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) came on board with funding. The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) was approached later for the construction of tourist plaza and cobblestone walkways in the precinct.
The primary aim of the Bansilalpet Stepwell restoration project was to set into motion a cyclic phenomenon of water sustainability on a local level. The revived well has an annual rainwater harvesting potential of 22 lakh litres. However as the project took shape it evolved into a holistically sustainable undertaking encompassing community welfare and betterment of local economy as well. The narrow by lanes were re-laid with underground electric lines, sewerage and drinking water lines were realigned, rainwater harvesting pits were constructed around the stepwell and a spacious parking area was also identified to ease congestion. When tourist footfall picks up, local residents and vendors would also have recourse to retail opportunities selling handicrafts and handlooms. What was once a congested residential area housing a garbage filled stepwell, has transformed into an organised and economically viable locality.
The successful restoration of the stepwell and redevelopment of the precinct in Bansilalpet has strengthened the resolve that working with an action oriented and human centric approach to restore and rejuvenate the many more traditional management structures dotting the state of Telangana is immensely achievable. Sustainability is the mantra for the future without which the rampant advancement we are proud of today will not deliver in the years to come. We look forward to connecting more and more communities to their water source and working towards water sustainability.
