Bengaluru: What was once a neglected, silt-filled well hidden inside NC Colony in Cox Town is now full of clean water again, thanks to the efforts of nearly 50-60 residents who came together to restore a piece of the neighbourhood’s history.The century-old well, believed to have been constructed during the 1920s under the British administration, was rejuvenated over the past one-and-a-half months by residents, community organisations, and traditional well diggers. Beyond preserving a heritage structure, the initiative also aimed to create a sustainable local water source.According to Surendra Ravi, an HR professional and Cox Town resident who spearheaded the effort, the well was originally built to meet the drinking water needs of workers brought by the British from present-day Andhra Pradesh. “The British had brought workers from Nellore, Kadapa, Chittoor and nearby regions for sanitation work in Bengaluru. Under their administration, these workers built the well for their own water needs,” Ravi said.Many descendants of those workers continue to live in NC Colony, where around 80 Telugu-speaking households remain today. Most of them work as pourakarmikas under Greater Bengaluru Authority. “Over time, the well was neglected. It became filled with silt, mud and sewage, and was no longer usable. We wanted to restore it as a tribute to the people who first settled here and built this well,” he said.Residents partnered with ITC Infotech, Inclusive Community Advocacy and Responsible Engagement (iCARE), Biome Environmental Trust, and Dr BR Ambedkar Health and Education Foundation to undertake the restoration. A team of traditional well diggers, led by Venkatesh P, carried out the desilting and cleaning work, while volunteers helped beautify the site.The restoration involved removing years of accumulated silt and garbage, cleaning the water source, and improving the surroundings. According to Ravi, the water quality has improved significantly and the well can once again serve as a valuable resource for the community.The well is 45ft deep, has a diameter of 9ft, and can store up to 81kl of water. The restored facility was inaugurated Friday, turning a forgotten relic of Bengaluru’s colonial past into a symbol of community-led conservation and sustainable water management.
