State Intervention a must for rejuvenating public wells in Maharashtra – MLA Imtiaz Jaleel

AIMIM will play a key role in ensuring water rights for the citizens

PUNE: All India Majlis E Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MLA from Aurangabad Central Imtiaz Jaleel has sought state intervention in renewal of disappearing water bodies like public wells from the public space. Jaleel who was present at the at the inauguration of water drawing and public dedication function at the recently rejuvenated 100 year old Kondhwa public well maintained that local municipal bodies including Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP) had statuory powers to fund and revive the wells. “ The intervention of the state government including municipal corporations and MJP is important to restore the lost water legacy and the water rights of the citizens ,” he said.

Jaleel further added that taking into the drought like situation in Marathwada and parts of Maharashtra, the citizens must come forward and put their level best in ensuring that they get control over the water resources by ensuring optimum utilization of water  and conservation. It is the duty of the government to support people centric initiatives in water conservation and rejuvenation of  public well. If the state fails in its duty, then MIM will play a key role in ensuring that water related public movements get their due place in the society and ensure that the necessary funds are given for safety and maintenance of wells ,” he added.

Praising the role of Social activist Saleem Mulla,  he said that the activist turned words into deeds and worked very hard to ensure that well was revived at all costs. “ The citizens of the area from all backgrounds came forward and contributed for the cause thus making it one of the most discussed and successful people’s water movement in the country. The well supplies thirty tankers of utility water to the area residents and has brought water tanker costs down significantly ,” he added. He further said that youth of the nation should emulate the example of Saleem Mulla for his nation building cause.

Mulla in his address credited his success to the citizens and said that it was possible due to the unflinching support extended to him by Kondhwa residents. Mulla said that he will continue to struggle for reviving the lost wells not only in Pune but across the state and even the country to ensure that there is sufficient supply of water and where citizens don’t have to pay through the nose.

The well located behind Baitool Uloom Madarsa in Kondhwa Khurd is expected to quench thirst of about 10,000 local residents. The first priority is three madarsas and two schools who will get piped water supply. A 5,000 litre capacity water tank will soon be erected near the well from where the local residents can get water.  The area is dominated by laborers, small businessmen and small time employees who form a major chunk of the residents. The area has been reeling under severe water crisis for the past one decade and there has been no regular water supply to the area till date. Water tankers are the only lifeline for the water starved residents of the area.

Now water tankers can also get water from this well. Mulla said that till 15 years back people from the vicinity used to get drinking water from the well but later it had tuned into a garbage dump. It took some volunteers and the well has come alive at the cost of Rs 3.5 lakh which came from people.