20 April,2026 07:41 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
Pic/Special Arrangement
With concerns over urban water scarcity intensifying each summer, the revival of traditional wells in Thane is being positioned as a supplementary solution to ease pressure on the municipal supply system. Two such restored wells, equipped with reverse osmosis (RO) filtration units, were inaugurated on Monday in Lokmanya Nagar and Unnati Garden areas by Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik.
The initiative is part of a broader plan to restore 46 defunct or contaminated wells across Thane and Mira-Bhayander. The project is backed by a dedicated corpus of Rs 50 crore sanctioned during the tenure of former Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Over the years, several traditional wells in the city had either been filled up, encroached upon, or rendered unusable due to sewage contamination and accumulated waste. Officials say the ongoing restoration work aims to reverse this trend by scientifically cleaning and strengthening these structures.
The process includes desilting, structural repairs, and installation of protective features such as grills and nets to prevent debris and sewage from entering the wells. In addition, RO filtration systems are being installed to ensure that the extracted water is safe for drinking.
Speaking at the inauguration, Sarnaik noted that the project is not only about reviving infrastructure but also about preserving natural water sources that had fallen into neglect. He said efforts are being made to ensure that sewage mixing is prevented and that regular maintenance keeps the wells functional in the long term.
Authorities emphasised that the restored wells are intended to serve as an alternative source of potable water, particularly during periods when municipal supply is disrupted due to technical issues or falls short of demand - situations that are common during peak summer months.
Civic officials pointed out that rising urbanisation has increased dependence on piped water supply, making the city more vulnerable to shortages when infrastructure is strained. The revived wells, they say, could act as decentralised backup sources, reducing the immediate impact of such disruptions on residents.
Out of the 46 identified locations, work on 12 wells has been completed so far. The pace of implementation is expected to increase, with plans to restore three to four wells every week.
The project is being implemented by the municipal corporation's water supply department, which is also tasked with ensuring ongoing upkeep, including regular cleaning and monitoring of water quality.
Officials indicated that if the initiative proves effective, similar efforts could be scaled up across other parts of the city and potentially replicated in other urban areas facing comparable water challenges.
