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Open Well Project a boon for water supply in Belagavi

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With the advent of summer, each one thinks of the heat and the availability of potable water. This year with less rainfall and drought situation in the nearby districts the current water level in Rakaskop and Hidkal would be sufficient up to Mid June.

Belagavi city was dependent on well water before the commencement of Rakaskop scheme. Most of these wells were constructed before and during the British Raj almost 100 to 200 years back.

Dr. M. Vishveshwarayya who designed the Rakaskop Scheme had mentioned in the Preamble to his report that “Belagavi water supply can be maintained by a chain of wells.”

In the year 1995, the Rakaskop Reservoir was the only source of potable water for Belagavi city. Wells had fallen into disuse over the forty years of piped supply of water. Rains were delayed till July 22nd and the Reservoir was completely empty. Alternate sources of water had to be found.

Belagavi’s attempt at water security for all its citizens by harnessing local resources falls into the latter category.

12pulley-well-belagavi
12pulley well at Hutatma Chowk

baraIn 1964, when piped water was introduced in Belagavi, households were uncertain about getting connected to the pipeline. When efforts to woo residents failed, the then divisional commissioner had what he thought was a brainwave. Since residents were refusing piped water,  he ordered the closure of the wells. Ironically, 50 years later, the same government machinery had to work hard to reopen wells.

The Open Well Project represents a local initiative undertaken through local innovation to radically transform a public service to solve a local problem and benefit a Tier II city.

Congress wellThis effort is presented, in all humility, merely because it is a replicable effort for almost everywhere there are unmapped and untapped underground water resources.

Design of mini filter, alum dozer, chlorinator, pumps, connection to the existing network for supply of water. Involvement of community, social organizations, N.G.O.’s, Private entrepreneurs and donors to execute the project.

Engineer R S Nayak was spearheading this project and he implemented it successfully and also got many awards for this scheme and the same was replicated in many other cities as well.

The well at Veerbhadra Nagar was constructed by the British in 1908 and has a water column of 100 feet. The source of water for this well is a stream coming from nearly 5 km away between two trap rock layers and opening at this point. Three wells were constructed at this place and are connected by a tunnel which is six feet in height.

Khanjar Galli
Khanjar Galli

The well at Shetty Galli was constructed by the British in 1885. The well is perfectly rectangular in shape and the dimension of the well is exactly the same both at the top and the bottom (in mm). The well at Math Galli was constructed by the British in 1883. The Fire Station was located near this well. The well at Kirloskar Road is a high yielding open well centrally located in the city. The Borough Municipality was supplying water from this well by constructing a small overhead tank.

The well at Goods Shed Road was constructed by the British and has a water column of 90 feet. It was observed that almost all these wells were surrounded and protected by a layer of laterite.

The well at Math Galli was constructed by the British in 1883. The Fire Station was located near this well. The well at Kirloskar Road is a high yielding open well centrally located in the city. The Borough Municipality was supplying water from this well by constructing a small overhead tank.

camp well
The lake in Camp next to CEO bungalow has also been made open

The ‘Congress Well’, then known as ‘Pampa Sarovar’, was constructed in 1924 during the Congress Party’s historic convention which was presided over by Mahatma Gandhi.

Cost of construction of the well at that time was Rs. 4370 and 3 annas. This well supplied water to lakhs of people who had assembled for the Convention.

Sheri Galli corner
Sheri Galli corner

Many wells in the recent past have been rejuvenated which has helped in the restoration of water supply in many areas.

The Sheri Galli corner well, 12 Puleyed well at Hutatma Chowk (Bara Ghadghadyachi Vihir) and a well in School no.2 in Ganpat Galli have been reopened now.

High yielding wells

1. Open well at Veerbhadranagar.
2. Open well at Goods shed Road Shastrinagar.
3. Open well at Congress Road.
4. Open well at Shetty galli.
5. Open well at Kirloskar Road.
6. Open well at Shivaji Garden, Shahapur.
7. Open well at Math galli.
8. Open well at Nazar camp, Vadgaon.
09. Open well at Rayat galli, Vadgaon.
10. Open well at Polytechnic premises Kakatives.
11. Open well at Darga premises Kamat galli.
12. Open well at Khanjar galli.
13. Open well at Kasai galli.
14. Open well at Joshi Mala.
15. Open well at Teggin galli, Vadgaon.
16. Open well at Konwal Galli.
17. Open well at Samartha Nagar.
18. Open well at PWD Quarters.
19. Open well at Alwan Galli.

3 thoughts on “Open Well Project a boon for water supply in Belagavi”

  1. Reservoir , Flora Fauna r a must at every Gali in the city for the future the city must be planned and developed not vanishing the existing n improving in what’s not existing.

    Reply
  2. Its great that wells are being rejuvenated.

    This will actually trigger the ground water around and the Water table is bound to rise.

    It augers well for drinking water which is today become scare all over .

    Reply

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