Saved in 500 Days, Stepwell With 22 Lakh Litres Capacity Was Full of 2000 Tonnes Waste
Originally reported and written in January 2023, this story has been republished as part of our archival content. Located at Bansilalpet in Secunderabad, this 17th-century six-level stepwell represents the heritage of Telangana, but has remained neglected for decades. The Bansilalpet stepwell has the capacity to store 22 lakh litres of water. Instead, it was filled with 2,000 tonnes of waste. Left in ruins, it had turned into a dumping site over the past four decades. In order to restore the stepwell to its former glory, Hyderabad-based architect Kalpana Ramesh from ‘The Rainwater Project’ joined hands with the administration. “I was shocked to see this historical beauty in ruins. It had been completely encroached on and was used to dump garbage. I decided that I would rebuild every wall of this well and restore it to its former state,” Kalpana tells The Better India . Along with 100 professionals and 1,000 workers, Kalpana cleaned and de-silted the stepwell. The team also strengthened the walls and mandapams around it. In a span of 500 days, the four-decade-old stepwell was restored to its original glory. The well was part of a garden before British Resident TH Keyes set up the Bansilalpet model village around it, funded by Seth Bansilal in 1933. Following the restoration, Kalpana tried recreating the same model village that the stepwell had around it years ago. And nearly 16 months later, the stepwell looks unrecognisable. It is now surrounded by a pathway with electrical
Located in Bansilalpet, Secunderabad, stands a 17th-century six-level stepwell that once symbolized the heritage of Telangana. For decades, this architectural marvel, capable of storing 22 lakh litres of water, lay neglected and transformed into a dumping site. The Bansilalpet stepwell, once a vital part of a garden, had become a repository for 2,000 tonnes of waste, its walls crumbling and its former glory fading into obscurity.
The story of its revival began when Hyderabad-based architect Kalpana Ramesh, founder of 'The Rainwater Project,' was moved to action by the sight of this historical beauty in ruins. "I was shocked to see this historical beauty in ruins. It had been completely encroached on and was used to dump garbage. I decided that I would rebuild every wall of this well and restore it to its former state," Kalpana recalls.
With a team of 100 professionals and 1,000 workers, Kalpana embarked on a mission to clean, de-silt, and strengthen the stepwell's walls and surrounding mandapams. The project, which spanned 500 days, transformed the four-decade-old structure into a testament to its original splendor. The stepwell, once a part of a garden before British Resident TH Keyes established the Bansilalpet model village around it in 1933, was now poised for a new chapter.
Following the restoration, Kalpana's vision extended beyond the stepwell itself. She sought to recreate the model village that had once surrounded the well, bringing it back to life. Nearly 16 months after the restoration began, the stepwell was unrecognizable. Surrounding it were a pathway with electrical light poles, a plaza, an interpretation centre, an amphitheatre, a jogging track, and a garden. The revival of the well had not only restored its historical significance but also transformed the locality, making it a sought-after heritage spot.
The Bansilalpet stepwell's revival was recognized on an international stage when it received the prestigious Big 5 Construction Impact Award in Dubai just hours after its inauguration on 5 December 2022. This accolade underscored the project's success in preserving heritage while fostering community engagement and sustainable development.
The story of the Bansilalpet stepwell serves as a powerful reminder of the potential that lies dormant in our neglected heritage sites. Through the dedication and vision of individuals like Kalpana Ramesh, these sites can be transformed into symbols of cultural pride and community revitalization, inspiring others to take action and preserve the rich tapestry of our shared history.
