New Delhi: Not all baolis of the city are as famous as the agrasen ki baoli that Aamir Khan took shelter in for the film PK. Several baolis of the city are lying derelict and languishing without any upkeep. At a calender event launch in the city, CM Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said that the government would work towards reviving the baolis. He has asked water minister Kapil Mishra to draft a blueprint for the restoration of ancient step-wells in a week’s time.
The government’s calendar for 2017 celebrates the history of baolis in Delhi. As per the Archeological Survey of India, there are 16 baolis in the national capital, most of them are in a very poor state. Stressing the need to restore baolis, Delhi Assembly speaker Ram Niwas Goel said it is important to begin water conservation and rainwater harvesting. He urged MLAs to build teams for the conservation of underground step-wells in their areas. Mr Goel said the coming year would be dedicated to the conservation of the ancient water bodies. Historian Sohail Hashmi said the city receives 30 mm rainfall every year. Saying that water conservation cannot only be a matter of heritage, he said if all the baolis are properly restored, Delhi will not have to rely on other states for its water needs. According to conservationists, there are several factors hindering the restoration and upkeep of the baolis. The concrete surfaces that have come up around baolis make it difficult for rainwater to seep in. Another conservation challenge is that the local communities living near the historic baolis are not sensitised to their history.
