💧 Bansilalpet Stepwell
Nagannakunta – A 17th Century Baoli Revived as Hyderabad's First Drinking Water Stepwell
From Dumping Ground to Drinking Water Source: A loud cheer and sounds of clapping reverberated around Bansilalpet, a neighbourhood in Secunderabad, when the first trickle of clean water dribbled out of the ground. After an 18-month effort to clear out 2,000 tonnes of rubbish and restore the stone walls and adjacent area, the 17th-century Bansilalpet stepwell had become a source of clean drinking water for the first time in four decades.
Today, this six-level architectural marvel stands as a testament to what is possible when government, experts, and community come together. With a capacity to hold 22 lakh litres (2.2 million litres) of water, it now serves as a vital source of drinking water for the surrounding community while also acting as a vibrant cultural hub with galleries, an amphitheater, and a cafe.
📜 History – Nagannakunta to Bansilalpet (17th Century – 2020)
🏗️ Ancient Origins: The exact date when the well was built is not known, but it is believed to have been constructed around the 17th century during the Asif-Jahi (Nizam) period. Historically known as Nagannakunta or Naganah Kunta, as per a map published in 1854, the stepwell remained in use well into the 20th century, acting as one of the sources of water for the nearby Gandhi Hospital. Water from the well was drawn for the ablution of the goddesses at the Nalla Pochamma and Yerra Pochamma temples nearby.
Bansilalpet Model Village (1933): In 1933, a local businessman, Seth Bansilal, funded the development of a model village around the stepwell. This "gated community" with houses, gardens, and amenities was so impressive that when the British Viceroy Linlithgow visited Hyderabad in January 1938, he made it a point to visit the Bansilalpet Model Village. The area was rechristened Bansilalpet after the benefactor, and the well became known as Bansilalpet Baori. Today, the grand ceremonial entrance has been encroached, but the foundation stone laid by a British Resident on 13 February 1933 still remains.
Decades of Neglect (1980s-2020): The stepwell fell into disuse in the early 1980s after a few suicides at the well. Over the next four decades, it became a dumping ground for the surrounding community. By 2020, the well was filled with 2,000 tonnes of waste—building debris, film reels, plastic, discarded furniture, used tyres, and electrical waste—and had become a breeding ground for bandicoots and rats. When architect Kalpana Ramesh first visited, she couldn't even find the stepwell.
🔨 The Restoration Journey – A Labour of Love (2021-2022)
👩🎨 The Visionaries – Kalpana Ramesh & IAS Arvind Kumar
🌟 "I decided that day that I would protect every wall of this well, and restore it to its original state." – Kalpana Ramesh, Architect & Water Warrior
The restoration was the brainchild of Kalpana Ramesh, founder of The Rainwater Project, who had already restored eight wells in the city. When she got access to the Munn maps detailing the 1933 model village, she was fascinated. Her immediate thought was: "We should restore it to something spectacular again." She joined forces with IAS Arvind Kumar and the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) department of Telangana.
🏗️ The Mammoth Task – 500 Days, 1,000 Workers, 2,000 Tonnes of Waste
An MoU was signed between The Rainwater Project and the Telangana government in October 2021. The restoration process involved:
- Debris Removal: Over 2,000 tonnes of accumulated waste was removed from the stepwell. More than 150 trucks were used to cart away the debris.
- Structural Stabilization: The walls and mandapams were strengthened, and broken sections were rebuilt.
- Rainwater Harvesting System: Water channels were built across the well to collect rainwater, which drains through pits into the aquifer.
- Family Relocation: A few families who had encroached upon the well area were relocated to government housing in Dignity Housing Colony.
📊 Restoration by the Numbers:
- Duration: 500+ days
- Workers: Over 1,000 (including 100+ professionals)
- Debris Removed: 2,000+ tonnes
- Government Expenditure: Approximately ₹2 crore
- Funds Raised by Kalpana Ramesh: An additional ₹2 crore
- Depth Reached (Restored): 50 feet below ground
- Original Depth: 60 feet
💧 The Stepwell Today – A Six-Level Marvel with 22 Lakh Litre Capacity
🔄 Rainwater Harvesting at Its Best: The stepwell now has a capacity to hold 22 lakh litres (2.2 million litres) of water. Water channels collect rainwater and direct it to the pits, which recharge the aquifer below. The well consistently maintains a water depth of 28 feet (9 metres) even during the dry summer months. It is the first stepwell in Telangana to provide clean drinking water.
The restoration uncovered a six-stage stepwell that had been completely hidden. The plan is similar to wells of the Kakatiyan period, displaying the evolution of water-centric human settlements in Telangana. During the British period, a brick boundary wall with arches was built around the well's periphery.
The carved idols inside a grotto of the stepwell—including a carving of Lord Ganesh and Lord Hanuman—which had been buried for decades, were cleaned and restored, and are now worshipped again by local residents.
🎭 A Cultural & Community Space – More Than Just a Stepwell
Bansilalpet Stepwell has been transformed into a vibrant public space where heritage meets modern amenities:
🏛️ Museum & Galleries
3 Galleries display various items extracted from the debris during restoration, along with photos documenting the entire restoration journey. Entry Fee: ₹50 per person (free for children under 5). Only 50 visitors are allowed at a time.
🎭 Amphitheatre
An open-air amphitheatre behind the galleries with a lawn area that can host events for up to 120 guests. Sound systems must close by 8:30 PM, and the amphitheatre/garden closes at 9 PM (50-decibel limit enforced).
☕ Upcoming Cafe: A cafe is planned within the premises to further enhance the visitor experience and support the local economy.
🛤️ Cobblestone Pathway & Lighting: The stepwell is surrounded by a beautifully paved walkway with elegant electrical light poles, making it a safe and inviting space for evening visits.
🏆 Awards & International Recognition
🏅 Big 5 Construction Impact Award 2022 (Dubai): The Bansilalpet Stepwell and Precinct Restoration Project won the prestigious Big 5 Construction Impact Award for 'sustainable revitalisation', recognizing its outstanding contribution to heritage conservation and sustainable water management.
🌊 Broader Impact on Groundwater Levels: According to Pandith Mandure, former director of Telangana's groundwater department, measures like clearing lakes, drains, recharge shafts, and restoring stepwells—including Bansilalpet—resulted in a rise of six to seven metres in groundwater levels in the Hyderabad region between 2021 and 2023.
Following this model, the Telangana government has announced plans to restore 10 more stepwells across the city. Other states are also taking inspiration from this success story.
⏰ Visitor Information
📍 Address
Bansilalpet Stepwell / Nagannakunta
Bansilalpet, Secunderabad,
Hyderabad, Telangana – 500003
Coordinates: 17°25′50.2068″N 78°29′35.3515″E
🕐 Timings
Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Closed on: Mondays
💰 Entry Fees
Museum/Galleries: ₹50 per person
Children (below 5 years): Free
Stepwell Viewing: Free entry (limited access, only up to first level)
🚗 How to Reach
Nearest Metro: James Street (Blue Line) – approximately 1.5 km
Bus: TSRTC buses to Bansilalpet / Secunderabad
Auto/Cab: Easily available
Parking: Limited due to residential area
Note: Visitors are allowed only up to one level (cannot descend deeper).
📸 Travel Tips:
- ✅ Best time to visit: Early morning (10 AM) or evening (after 4 PM) to avoid the heat
- ✅ Parking is limited: Consider taking an auto or using public transport
- ✅ Don't miss the galleries: The museum displays items pulled from the debris and tells an incredible story of the restoration journey
- ✅ Respect the space: Keep the area clean — this is a functioning drinking water source
- ✅ Combine with other nearby attractions: Indira Park, Snow World, and Hussain Sagar are close by
🏛️ Nearby Attractions
- Indira Park – 76-acre urban park within walking distance
- Snow World – India's first indoor snow park (adjacent to Indira Park)
- Hussain Sagar Lake – Heart-shaped lake with Buddha statue (2 km)
- Necklace Road – Scenic boulevard along Hussain Sagar (2 km)
- Lumbini Park – Urban park with laser show (2 km)
- Sanjeevaiah Park – 92-acre public park (3 km)
✨ Key Features Summary
- Name: Bansilalpet Stepwell / Nagannakunta / Naganah Kunta / Bansilalpet Baori
- Location: Bansilalpet, Secunderabad, Hyderabad
- Built: 17th century (Asif-Jahi / Nizam period)
- Architectural Feature: Six-level stepwell
- Water Capacity: 22 lakh litres (2.2 million litres)
- Current Water Depth: 28 ft (9 m) summer, deeper after monsoons
- Restoration Period: 2021 – 2022 (500+ days)
- Inaugurated: 5 December 2022 by K. T. Rama Rao
- Restoration Leaders: Kalpana Ramesh (The Rainwater Project), IAS Arvind Kumar, GHMC
- Debris Removed: 2,000+ tonnes
- Restoration Cost: Approximately ₹4 crore (₹2 crore government + ₹2 crore private)
- Workers Involved: 1,000+ (including 100+ professionals)
- Award: Big 5 Construction Impact Award 2022 (Dubai) – 'sustainable revitalisation'
- Facilities: Museum (3 galleries, ₹50 entry), Amphitheatre (120 capacity), upcoming cafe
- Historical Significance: Former water source for Gandhi Hospital; site of 1938 British Viceroy visit
- Timings: 10 AM – 1 PM & 4 PM – 8 PM (Tue-Sun), Closed Monday
- Drinking Water: First stepwell in Telangana to provide clean drinking water
⭐ Why Bansilalpet Stepwell is a Must-Visit: Hyderabad's only 6-level stepwell open to the public | First stepwell in Telangana to provide drinking water | Award-winning restoration (Big 5 Award 2022) | 22 lakh litre capacity | Restored by "Water Warrior" Kalpana Ramesh | Museum with 3 galleries | Amphitheatre for cultural events | Models sustainable water management | A true community revival story
📚 References & More Information
- Wikipedia – Bansilalpet Stepwell
- The Guardian – Ancient stepwells brought back to life as India begins to run out of water (2026)
- The Better India – Architect Kalpana Ramesh & IAS Officer Revive 17th Century Stepwell
- The Hindu – Bansilalpet stepwell on path of resurrection (September 2021)
- Travel With Kalyan – Bansilalpet Stepwell Visitor Guide
Comments
Post a Comment