WHILE the residents of the city cry for lack of historic or tourist places nearby to spend somequality time away from the urban humdrum, the few places that exist are deteriorating without any attention from the authorities. Ganesh Kund, a stepwell built sometime around 17th century near Vela Harishchandra village in outskirts of the city, is an example of ignored places that can promote tourism in the region, if maintained properly. The historic stepwell has fallen into alarming neglect, raising serious concerns among villagers, conservationists, and heritage enthusiasts over the gradual loss of an important cultural and water conservation structure.

 

 

 

The stepwell is not protected by Archeological Survey of India (ASI), nor is it in heritage site list of the district, forgotten as if to wait for its eventual extinction. Once regarded as a dependable water source and a site of religious significance, the stepwell now stands in a state of decay. Several stone steps leading into the kund are cracked, uneven, and partially damaged due to years of neglect and absence of maintenance. The structure is surrounded by accumulated garbage, plastic waste, and dense overgrowth, reflecting prolonged administrative indifference. The walls are tilting inwards due to lack of maintainance, while big trees and their roots traversing through the gaps in walls are damaging the structure immensely. There is a protective wall around the structure and a board declaring it to be proposed heritage site, the present condition of the structure makes it doubtful if it will sustain till getting the heritage site status. “The kund was once the lifeline of our village.

 

People depended on it during summers when other water sources would dry up. Today, it has been completely ignored,” said an elderly villager, expressing disappointment over its deteriorating condition. Villagers recall that the kund was regularly cleaned and maintained in earlier decades, and also served as a place of worship due to its association with Lord Ganesh. Over time, however, the responsibility of upkeep diminished, and no authority stepped forward to preserve it. The water within the kund has now turned stagnant and polluted, covered with algae and debris, making it unfit for any use. A conservationist familiar with traditional water structures said, “Stepwells like Ganesh Kund are examples of indigenous engineering designed for sustainable water management.

 

Losing them means losing a part of our environmental and cultural heritage.” Tourism enthusiasts believe the kund has untapped potential. “If restored and properly maintained, this place could attract visitors interested in history and heritage. It could become an important local tourism site,” said a heritage supporter who recently visited the village. Local residents say repeated appeals to authorities have yielded no visible action. They emphasise that Ganesh Kund is not just an old structure but a symbol of the region’s historical water management and community life. The condition of Ganesh Kund reflects a broader pattern of neglect affecting several unprotected heritage structures in rural areas around the city. Without timely conservation and restoration efforts, this historic stepwell risks falling into irreversible ruin, erasing an important link to the region’s past.