PUNE: The Alandi Municipal Council has launched a project to rejuvenate three old water tanks ( jalkunds ) in the temple town, about 25km from the city.
The council has already cleaned the “Bhagirathi Jalkund” in association with social organisations. Now, it has planned to carry out infrastructure works around it.
The 16 feet deep water body has several natural springs. An official of the Alandi Municipal Council (AMC) said it had the potential to cater to the drinking water requirement of hundreds of houses in the vicinity.
“We have sent samples of water for testing to the Pune Zilla Parishad (ZP) and a private agency to check if it is suitable for drinking. If testing result comes positive, we shall set up a water treatment plant and supply it to nearby houses. If not, the residents can use the water for domestic chores,” said Ankush Jadhav, the chief officer of AMC.
The other two tanks are Ramkund in the Indrayani riverbed — three feet below the ground-level — and Kuber Ganga Kund in the Gopalpura area in the town. Activists and residents said neither AMC nor the district administration paid heed to these natural water resources for two decades. Currently, they were in a bad state, one among them said.
“Shrubs and trees have grown in and around the water tanks. They are filled with garbage and plastics. The old stone structures have also deteriorated over the years,” he said.
“A basic yearly maintenance is necessary to conserve the pristine ancient values of these structures. These water resources could be used effectively to meet daily requirements of water,” said activist Arjun Medankar of Alandi. Former president of the AMC Rahul Chitalkar claimed that the town was known for its over 50 “jalkunds”.
