Bengaluru: While the threat of a failed monsoon looms over the city, the authorities are looking at revival of seven wells located inside the Cubbon Park for respite.
Debris from all the seven wells has already been removed and they are in working condition. With this project, the Department of Horticulture (Cubbon Park) will save Rs 75-85 lakh, which were earlier spent in getting treated water from BWSSB.
“Certainly, after the implementation of this project, around 25-30% of the cost we used to spend on BWSSB will come down. The remaining work of piping to interconnect all the wells will be finished in the coming week,” said Mahantesh Murgod, deputy director (Cubbon Park), horticulture department.
“After the cleaning of the wells the level of the ground water increased and it will be used for the rose garden since the park already has Cauvery river water for drinking,” he added.
The park has at least 15-20 feet of water even the peak of summer. The wells are around 50-60 years old. The website of the India Cares Foundation, an NGO which is funding the project, writes that the after the clean-up they were expecting 1.50 lakh litres of water for more than 7,000 trees in this vital lung space.
“The park meets some of its water demand through the rain that falls on its campus. By recharging it into the ground and then taking it through these seven wells which were earlier lying dysfunctional we can make sure that it supplies water,” said S. Vishwanath, a water expert working on the project.
On the issue of maintenance of the wells, he further added, “They require minimum maintenance. Once in a year, they need to be desilted and cleaned, and make sure no garbage is thrown into it.”
Around Rs 5,73,000 have been spent on the project. The 10%-15% of the work which is left is expected to get over soon.
Commenting on the project, Meena Dave, CEO, India Gates Foundation, said, “We will start the piping work on July 25. The pipes have to be connected to the sump, but we have to ensure that it is water proof. After the completion of this project, we will take up Rain Water Harvesting project in the park.” Since the treated water from the BWSSB is falling short of meeting the demand of the huge park, using water from recharged wells will keep this lung space in fine fettle.
