SECR ignores railway minister’s order to restore Bhonsle-era wells

Nagpur: Even as the residents are facing water scarcity, the South East Central Railway (SECR), Nagpur division, has failed to revive and upkeep the historic Bhonsle era wells that once catered to the entire Motibagh and Bailley Shop Railway Colonies and steam engines in 1905.
Dr Pravin Dabli, who has been striving for the revival of these wells of the size of 70 ft in diameter, on Monday said these wells are located near football stadium in North Nagpur.
Dr Dabli pursued the matter with railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and minister of state for railways Raosaheb Danve, who had on July 28, 2022, asked officials to save the historic wells. As no action was taken, on November 7, 2022, he again sought the intervention of the railway minister. However, even after 10 months, railway officials have failed to take any action.
SECR additional divisional railway manager GV Jagtap did not respond to calls. Senior divisional commercial manager Dilip Singh said he would look into the matter. Two years ago when TOI had reported the matter, similar was the response.
SECR general manager had on January 19 this year inaugurated green gym and floodlights built in the stadium located near the historic well, but he also took no cognizance of it.
Dr Dabli says the historic wells can fulfil the water requirement of not only the colony but the entire railway establishment. “Revival of these wells can save money towards NMC water bills,” he said.
“Presently, the water crisis is at its peak. There were nine big Bhonsle period wells. Of these, six are under the railway jurisdiction but only three can be brought back to life. These wells were once the lifeline of people and supplied water to the Bhonsle Wadi village as well as the British stables, including the gun factory,” said Dr Dabli.
He said the narrow gauge railway was established in Nagpur in 1905. The steam engines in use then consumed huge quantity of water. These wells fulfilled the requirement then. One of the wells is over 150 years old, but its water has decayed and turned green. Some other wells have been turned into dumps.
The SECR currently procures 65 lakh litres water daily from NMC in Motibagh. The same water is used in quarters, workshops, diesel sheds, etc. If the old wells are revived, money spent on the water bills can be saved. “The issue also involves saving our heritage not just water,” he said.