Revival of Motibagh well facing apathy from authorities as cleaning work stalls

 

 

 

In an ambitious yet faltering attempt to revive one of Nagpur’s oldest water sources, the South East Central Railway’s Nagpur Division recently undertook the cleaning of the 200-year-old historical well at Motibagh. However, what began with much enthusiasm now lies suspended—half-done and raising serious questions about planning, resource utilisation, and administrative intent. Once a crucial water source for the region, the giant well had fallen into decades of neglect. The push for its revival came largely due to the persistent efforts of Dr Pravin Dabli, former ZRUCC member, who had been advocating for its cleaning for several years. Acting on these appeals, the Railway Division finally initiated a cleaning drive—but it now appears the initiative is losing steam.

 

As part of the process, lakhs of litres of water was pumped out in the initial phase with the aim of clearing the layers of silt, plastic, stones and solid waste accumulated at the bottom. However, even after massive water extraction, no significant removal of waste materials has occurred. Local citizens said that while the water was extracted in large volumes, the solid debris remains untouched. The initial phase saw commendable deployment of machines and manpower, but that momentum has since vanished. For the past ten days, the site has been inactive. Local sources report that the 6 HP pumps installed by authorities have been removed, and no new machinery or personnel have appeared on site. With monsoon approaching, residents fear the opportunity for a thorough cleaning may soon be lost. In a city like Nagpur, already grappling with water scarcity, the disposal of 80 to 90 lakh litres of water has angered environmentalists and local organisations.

 

They point out that the extracted water could have been utilised for irrigation, especially for trees planted along city dividers, which are currently being watered with drain water. “It was an opportunity lost,” lamented one local resident. “That water could have supported thousands of trees during this peak summer period. Instead, it has been wasted,” he added. Despite growing dissatisfaction, the South East Central Railway Division has not issued any official statement. Some insiders, speaking anonymously, attributed the stoppage to contractual issues with the cleaning agency. However, with no formal response or timeline for resumption, public scepticism is mounting. Residents of the Moti Bagh area are frustrated and disappointed. “Why begin a project only to abandon it halfway?” questioned an elderly local. The general sentiment reflects a deep sense of betrayal over what many see as a symbolic effort rather than a sincere one. Dr Pravin Dabli, who has been at the forefront of the revival efforts, expressed his dismay. “Had this been executed with a proper plan and genuine commitment, it could have become a proud model for heritage and environmental conservation. Instead, what we are left with is a stagnant well and a wasted opportunity,” said Dabli. Citizens now demand a clear explanation from railway authorities and urge immediate resumption and completion of the cleaning before the monsoon. The fate of the Moti Bagh well hangs in the balance, not just as a historical structure, but as a symbol of how bureaucratic apathy can squander even the most promising initiatives.