Corporate help sought to revive Delhi baolis

New Delhi: The Delhi government has invited corporate partnership for reviving ancient baolis in the city.

Earlier at a calendar launch event at the Delhi Assembly on December 31, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had asked water minister and DJB chief Kapil Mishra to draft a blueprint for the restoration of step-wells. The Assembly’s calendar for 2017 celebrates history of baolis in Delhi. The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has identified more than 15 baolis for restoration as heritage sites and source for water storage. Over 80 water bodies have also been identified for creation of water sources. The smaller projects may cost anything between Rs 25 and Rs 30 lakh, while the more expensive ones will cost between Rs 1.5 to Rs 2 crore, the government said.

“Clear branding and publicity around these water bodies would be shared between the Delhi government and the CSR funder. These costs include capital and operational expenditure for 10 years, so in many ways, it is the real creation of a long-term asset,” a government document says, inviting corporate social responsibility (CSR) patners for its various projects.

Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel on Sunday presented a copy of the newly-launched calendar to Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan. The coming year will be dedicated to the conversation of the ancient water bodies, Mr Goel had earlier said.

Besides reviving baolis and other water bodies, the government has also invited  corporate partnerships for installing water ATMs. Delhi Jal Board has been installing these water-dispensing machines for the last few months at markets, bus stands, Metro Stations and main roads.

“One time capital expenditure on a single water ATM is only Rs 2 lakh and the operational expenditure of maintenance, running water and security will be provided by the Delhi government,” the document said.