Stepwells Restored to Provide Clean Water Across Telangana State

Published: 26 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

A loud cheer erupted in Bansilalpet, Hyderabad, as the first trickle of clean water appeared. After eighteen months of clearing three thousand tonnes of rubbish and restoring stone walls, the 17th-century stepwell finally produced potable water. Residents, who had watched the site deteriorate into a dumping ground for decades, gathered to celebrate the revival of this historical water source. Hajira Adeeb, a 45-year-old local, described visiting the well daily, enjoying its cleanliness, lighting, and peaceful atmosphere, which had once been unimaginable.

Stepwells are ancient multi-storey structures designed to provide access to groundwater, featuring descending platforms and steps. Constructed predominantly between the 11th and 18th centuries, they were positioned near natural aquifers, porous rock formations saturated with water, to support community water needs. During British rule, many stepwells were abandoned due to hygiene concerns and strict prohibitions, leading to their gradual decay and repurposing as rubbish sites in the late 20th century.

Though many stepwells have crumbled or disappeared entirely, collaborative efforts such as the Stepwell Atlas, maintained by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, document over three thousand structures. Approximately one hundred of these exist in Telangana, with nearly half located in Hyderabad. The surviving stepwells vary greatly in size, design, and architectural complexity, with some of the largest featuring elaborate carvings and extensive platforms that descend deep into the earth.

Prominent examples include the 9th-century Chand Baori in Abhaneri, Rajasthan, which boasts 3,500 intricately patterned steps leading to a central tank. Gujarat’s Rani-ki Vav, recognised by Unesco, features multiple ornamented tiers and thousands of Hindu deity sculptures. In Delhi, Agrasen-ki Baoli stretches sixty metres along a central street. These sites, however, primarily serve as heritage attractions and tourist destinations, lacking functionality for modern water use.

The Bansilalpet stepwell is unique in Telangana as it now provides drinking water, a model inspiring the restoration of other wells in the state. Since its reopening in December 2022, the water depth has remained consistently at nine metres even during the driest months, a testament to careful engineering and sustainable design. Architect Kalpana Ramesh, leading the project, has revitalised twenty-five stepwells across Telangana. Her work, supported by the state government and her social enterprise, Rainwater Project, integrates rainwater harvesting to replenish groundwater efficiently.

Ramesh has personally implemented rainwater collection for domestic use for over fifteen years, avoiding dependence on water tankers. Her method recharges aquifers, demonstrating that even urbanised regions can restore groundwater without excessive infrastructure. She believes that equipping all twenty-five restored stepwells with filtration systems could make their water potable, encouraging community preservation efforts and sustainable usage practices.

India faces an unprecedented water crisis, home to more than 1.4 billion people while possessing just four percent of global freshwater resources. Over six hundred million citizens already experience severe water stress, and rising demand is projected to double by 2030. Erratic monsoons, limited infrastructure, and water-intensive agricultural practices exacerbate the problem, with India consuming roughly a quarter of global groundwater. The revival of stepwells offers a practical solution to mitigate shortages, especially for domestic and irrigation purposes.

The Telangana government is implementing a multifaceted strategy to address water scarcity. Projects include half a million rainwater-harvesting initiatives, supplying grey water to data centres, rejuvenating the Musi River, desilting the Sriram Sagar reservoir to restore over three thousand million cubic metres of capacity, and imposing substantial fines for water wastage. These interventions aim to conserve water resources while encouraging responsible public behaviour.

Historically, stepwells were situated in areas with natural gradients to allow rainwater to percolate and recharge underground aquifers. Modern urbanisation, however, has introduced concrete surfaces that prevent natural absorption. Today, rainwater is redirected into underground trenches and pits through filtration layers of sand, gravel, pebbles, and boulders, replenishing aquifers and providing accessible water to nearby communities even during dry seasons.

While stepwells address shallow groundwater availability, broader water ecosystem transformations are necessary. Clean ponds, lakes, rivers, community-managed rainwater systems, and public engagement are essential for meaningful long-term impact. Stepwell restoration must be part of a holistic approach that ensures sustainable water access and environmental conservation.

Pandith Mandure, former director of Telangana’s groundwater department, observed that groundwater levels in Hyderabad rose by six to seven metres between 2021 and 2023 due to combined efforts, including lakes restoration, drain management, recharge shafts, and stepwell projects. Such initiatives underline the potential of integrating heritage infrastructure with contemporary water management strategies.

Through Rainwater Project, Ramesh engages local communities in maintaining nearby water bodies such as ponds, streams, and rivers. She emphasises that rainfall should not be lost to drainage systems, advocating for citywide efforts to maximise rainwater collection. Her experience suggests significant potential exists to restore urban water tables, improve availability, and enhance public awareness about water conservation.

Bansilalpet has become a tangible example of how heritage structures can provide practical solutions to modern crises. By linking historical architecture with sustainable technology, communities gain access to clean water while preserving cultural landmarks. Residents report improved local hygiene, recreational space, and environmental awareness, highlighting the broader social benefits of water restoration projects.

The project illustrates the scalability of stepwell revival, where combining community participation, government support, and technical expertise produces both immediate and long-term results. Urban India, increasingly challenged by climate change and population growth, can replicate such models to restore traditional water systems and strengthen resilience against future water stress.

Water availability remains critical for domestic life, agriculture, and economic development, making stepwell rehabilitation both environmentally and socially significant. By harnessing rainfall, maintaining aquifers, and promoting community stewardship, Telangana is pioneering sustainable urban water management in India. This initiative could provide a blueprint for other states facing similar groundwater depletion issues.

The story of Bansilalpet stepwell demonstrates that history, culture, and sustainability can intersect effectively. Residents celebrate access to clean water, while architects, engineers, and local authorities show how innovative thinking can revive neglected heritage sites. As India grapples with escalating water scarcity, stepwells offer more than nostalgia; they represent viable infrastructure for a water-secure future.

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