‘Underground wells’ to recharge groundwater in parts of Sector 5 & 6

Ward 173 that includes a part of HSR Layout Sector 5 and Sector 6 residents, is off to a great start. Two percolation/recovery pits have been dug today in Teacher’s Colony that will not only prevent flooding of roads but also recharge the groundwater. By the end of the month, the entire ward will get about 68 such pits.

The recovery pits can also be called ‘underground wells’ and this work began in Ward 173 last week with Venkatapura. However, some residents objected to it fearing that their building will collapse if the pits come up close to their houses. The work was stopped but has resumed now with pits being dug in parks and stormwater drains, an idea that is inspired from resident Ashwini who has made stormwater drain wells, a successful way to recharge groundwater in Sahakar Nagar about six months ago.
The brainchild of Sudhakar Reddy, Ward 173 corporator Saraswathamma’s son, this is an idea worth emulating in Ward 174 that includes six sectors of HSR Layout.

Says Mohan Govindiah, secretary, Namma Teacher’s Colony Residents Welfare Association: “The BBMP workers dug a 10 feet hole into the ground, put a ring around it, placed gravel, charcoal and sand at the bottom for about 3-4 feet, and covered the well with a grill, so people don’t fall into it. Whenever it rains, all the impurities will settle down because of the sand and gravel, and the rest of the good water will recharge the groundwater levels.”