Restoration Begins On OU, Adikmet Step Wells
Two historic stepwells — buried under waste and neglect — are being brought back to life in Hyderabad through a community-driven water conservation effort led by SAHE.
Hyderabad: Two forgotten step wells — one hidden in a former dump yard behind the Adikmet bus stop and another known as the Mah Laqa Bai step well at Osmania University's department of education — are being restored under the ‘Rain Water Project’ by the Society for Advancement of Human Endeavor (SAHE).
Although SAHE initiated the project in 2022, actual restoration began in November last year after corporate donors extended support and a conservation strategy was finalised.
The Mah Laqa Bai Chanda step well is named after the 18th-century poet, philanthropist and the first woman to publish an Urdu poetry collection. Despite its heritage value and location on land donated by Mah Laqa Bai to Osmania University, the structure remained neglected for years. A student’s social media appeal in 2023 revived public interest, prompting the authorities to accelerate restoration. Infosys Foundation is funding this work under its CSR initiative.
The Adikmet step well, previously used as a dumping ground, is being restored with the support of Dodla Dairy, which contributed nearly Rs 96.75 lakh. Before restoration could begin, nearly 800 tonnes of waste were removed from the site.
According to Kalpana Ramesh, head of water initiatives at SAHE, the combined restoration cost of both wells is around Rs 1.95 crore. Seven months into the effort, the work is 30 to 40 per cent complete.
“The sewage leakage from the wall at Mah Laqa Bai is a major concern. We are trying to pinpoint the exact source of the leak, but it is proving to be a task due to complex terrain,” she explained. An AI-assisted field team is helping identify the source and develop a solution.
Other challenges include relocating trees that have damaged the stepwell’s walls and a shortage of trained conservation workers. At Adikmet, the main hurdle is social rather than structural. “Despite the cleanup, some residents continue to treat the area as a dumping site. If the guard is not present even for a day, the waste returns,” Kalpana said.
The long-term goal is to transform both sites into vibrant community spaces. SAHE has signed MoUs with Osmania University to restore three stepwells on campus, including those near the University College of Education and the Mechanical Engineering block. Students are actively participating in documenting the restoration to build a sense of shared responsibility.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to revive Hyderabad’s historic water structures, following successful projects such as the Bansilalpet step well
