‘35 per cent wells in city are abandoned due to solid waste, sewage water contamination’
   Date :15-Feb-2021

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By Kaushik Bhattacharya :
 
CSIR-NEERI study says 230 wells are not in use out of 666 in Nagpur n Dug-wells are best source for increasing groundwater level
 
On one hand where Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has done the roof top water harvesting mandatory for new infrastructure projects in the city, on the other hand about 35 per cent of wells in the city are abandoned and not in use. CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Nagpur has prepared a report of the status of wells in the city. There are 666 wells in the city registered with NMC. CSIR-NEERI visited all the wells and mapped their co-ordinates and conducted a survey of people living near the said well. Out of 666 wells, 230 wells in the city are abandoned due to dumped solid waste and a few contaminated with sewage. “Dug-wells are very important source of increasing ground water levels of any city.
 

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With the realities of climate change and changing monsoon patterns, it is very crucial to maintain ground water level to tide over harsh periods, hence, this survey of current status has been carried out to help formulate a plan for revival of wells and water management in the city,” Dr Atya Kapley, Project Leader, ESR, CSIR-NEERI told The Hitavada. “Everyone wants borewell in one’s house due to shortage of space. Use of dug wells have reduced drastically. However, awareness is needed among citizens about wells because it is the best source to generate ground water level,” Dr Kapley added. Wells are a natural storage for water and smart urban planning should include maintenance of them to increase ground water level.
 
Besides maintaining ecosystem balance, these wells could be used for secondary purposes and lessen the load placed on fresh water, she added. As per the study, Lakadganj Zone has 67 dug wells in which 39 are abandoned, Laxmi Nagar Zone and Ashi Nagar Zone have 76 wells each and 31 wells are abandoned in both zones and Hanuman Nagar Zone has 71 wells in which 28 are abandoned. All these zones have the highest number of abandoned wells in the city either due to dumped solid waste in it or due to contaminated sewage water leaking in the well. However, Nehru Nagar Zone (91) has the highest number wells in which 36 wells are abandoned.
 
People in Nehru Nagar Zone are using the highest number of wells for drinking purpose or for other uses. Similarly, Gandhibag Zone have 78 wells in which just 11 are abandoned. Similarly, Dharampeth Zone (73 wells, 15 abandoned); Dhantoli Zone (34, 14); Satranjipura Zone (56, 19) and Mangalwari Zone (44, 6) are also have less number of abandoned wells as per the report. The report also revealed that 31 wells in Lakadganj Zone has the solid waste contents which is the highest in the city and also two wells contains sewage water. Similarly, Satranjipura Zone has the highest 10 wells which contains sewage water and 16 wells got abandoned due to solid wastes. In Ashi Nagar Zone 18 wells are dead which have no water so far. Wells are an important source of water and should be rejuvenated so as to lessen the load of fresh water reserves for proper water management.