Karjat Water Project -
Pictures & Press Releases
Aritra Bhattacharya Reports..
Mumbai, April 24: For years, the villagers of Burujwadi trekked
up a hill to return with pots of water on their heads as the
searing heat scalded their feet and the dust filtered their
vision.
On the foothills of Matheran, around 90 km from Mumbai, these
villagers never believed the routine could change.
Children ogling swank cars kicking up dust
trails, people living in extreme penury, making Rs 20 to Rs 25 a
day: You can't escape the similarities with Chandipur in Swades.
And
true to the script, Burujwadi's residents along with six other
adjoining villages outwitted the odds and brought water to their
doorsteps with a water harvesting facility they built
themselves.
"Tankers were alloted to supply daily water to our villages in
April and May—they actually turned up only twice or thrice a
week,'' says Hari Yurupirkar, another Burujwadi local.
So while Shah Rukh Khan played facilitator in Swades, the Satya
Sai Baba Trust in Mumbai replaced him in real life, inaugurating
the harvesting apparatus on April 18, with funding from HDFC
Bank.
Yurupirkar's fellow villagers worked eight long months, even
making the bricks in the local kiln. The pay-off has been the
sweet taste of running water—the project brings water to 1,200
villagers across seven villages.
The
project essentially comprises a 17-ft-high bund that holds back
rain water, a pump to carry the water to a 90,000-litre tank on
a hilltop and 13 distribution points with three taps each.
Incidentally, it was the villagers who first approached the Sai
Baba Trust in neighbouring Dodani Village, where it runs a
primary school.
Back at the inauguration, the locals didn't turn up and the
corporate guests wondered where they were. Where were they on
the big day? Getting dressed for the occassion.
When they emerged, the women had flowers on their heads and the
children went straight for the water.
Underlining the festivities though, was irony. The Morbi dam,
built on land emptied of villagers and under construction for
over 10 years now, will actually supply water to the urban
sprawl of Navi Mumbai.
"The government hasn't even paid us for the land it has taken
away to construct the dam,'' says Vishu Kewari, sarpanch of
Burujwadi.
For
now, though, Burujwadi has built itself the opportunity to
dream.
"We can probably start a broom-making business now,'' says Kamal
Bhasma, Ambewadi's lady sarpanch of the womenfolk, as she looks
appreciatively at the water gushing out of the taps.
Karjat Water project
This Water project involves the supply of water to 5 villages,
which could also lead to seven if plans are finalized. The names
of the villages are (1). Burujwadi (2) Dandwadi (3) Tepajiwadi
(4) Chinchachimalo (5) Nimbarwadi.
All these villages are on the Karjat side of Karjat hills and
are at a height of 2500 feet from the sea level, roughly about
88 Kms from Mumbai. All the villages are severely in need of
water during the summer period of three months and have to trek
and carry water from the bottom of the hill to height of 2000
feet daily for their daily water need.
Burujwadi: This is the main village at a height of
2000 to 2500 feet above the water source point. The number of
houses in this village is about 55 with almost 7 to 8 people in
each, which works to a population of 450 approximately.
Dandwadi: This village is next to Burujwadi at a
distance of 1000 feet. The number of houses in this village is
16 and population works to around 145 odd.
Tepajiwadi: This village is at a distance of 900
feet from Dandwadi. The number of houses in this village is 14
and the approximate population is 120.
Nimbarwadi: This village is at a distance
of 1100 feet from Tepaji wadi. The number of houses in this
village is 40 and a population of 360 odd.
Chinchachimalo: This village is at a distance of
1600 feet from Nimbarwadi. The number of houses in this village
is 45 and a population of 400 odd.
PLAN
The plan to successfully complete this project meaningfully
will be as follows.
To enhance the already existing source of water which is a well,
either by rain harvesting or integrating it with an additional
bore well to ensure sufficient water supply for a the villages.
To fit a heavy water pump of almost 3 phase 10 HP so that it can
take care of supplying water at a head of 2000 feet and a
distance of almost 3800 feet. Here again we will require taking
expert opinion before we finalise on the rating and capacity of
the pump to suit the terrain. HDPE and GI pipes will be required
to connect the source to the top tank and from the tank to the
different platforms constructed in the five different villages.
A
massive RCC reservoir tank of almost 45000-liter capacity to
store and facilitate distribution to the respective villages.
Electrical connection is available till the source but the
sanctioning of power and meter boxes with its connecting
accessories will have to be taken care of for the water pump.
Any necessary permission from the Tahasildars office and Gram
panchayat will have to be taken with the help of the villagers
and the local Sarpanch and Upasarpanch.
The above mentioned plan is further elaborated and examined in
detail in the following passages wherein a detailed schematic
diagramme is also given
SOURCE
There is an already existing water source, which is a well at
the bottom of the foothill having a dimension of 23 feet in
diameter and almost 30 feet in depth. This source gets dry by
the mid summer time and there is need to harvest water in this
well to sustain it throughout the summer. There is also a
possibility of going in for a bore near by to integrate with the
existing water source and thereby be sure to supply the
much-needed water to sustain all the five villages through out
the year. Experts such as geologist and rain harvesting experts
will have to be taken to the site to get a thorough report and
feed back of the plan of action, which will be most practical
and economically viable.
W-- Well
WATER PUMP AND ELECTRICAL SUPPLY REQUIRED
The total head from the source of water to the proposed water
tank reservoir would be approximately 2000 feet and at a
distance of 3800 feet. The initial 1200 feet has a steep
gradient and thereby has a gradual gradient upto the water tank
reservoir. There is an electricity pole very close to the well
and all that is required from the MSEB will be the sanction of
almost 10 HP of power. The MSEB officials may decide the cable
and extension from the pole to the well after we duly apply for
the power. MSEB official will have to be taken over there to get
an estimate and time required to finish the project.
VILLAGE TOPOGRAPHY
The distance between each village and its terrain is explained
below. From Burujwadi to Dandwadi is about 1000 feet. There is a
slight dip in the terrain, which again goes up and ends in the
village. The proposed site for the water tank is in between
Bujurwadi and Dandwadi and is at a height of 300 feet head and a
distance of 1000 feet from Burujwadi. From Dandwadi to
Tepajiwadis around 900 feet wherein there is a dip and climb
between the two.
From Tepajiwadi to Nimbarwadi is 1100 feet and from Nimbarwadi
to Chinchachimalo is 1600 feet. Here again there is a dip and
climb between the two villages.
ADVANTAGE
The added advantage in doing a project wherein five villages
together is benefited is not just the economics wherein the
overall cost and effort is reduced but also the number of people
benefited and the message that gets thru to a compete belt. The
awareness towards Baba is already on the growth and this project
will definitely help in cementing the belief on the gram seva
programme to bring more and more people into Swamis fold and
prove to them by example Swamis principle and message.
COST ESTIMATION |
Sr No |
Item |
Qnty |
Unit |
Rate/Unit |
Amount |
1 |
Cement |
3000 |
50 kg/bag |
145 |
435000 |
2 |
Bricks |
40000 |
Nos |
1.5 |
60000 |
3 |
Sand |
74 |
brass |
2000 |
148000 |
4 |
Rubble |
10 |
brass |
800 |
8000 |
5 |
Steel |
3760 |
Kgs |
30 |
112800 |
6 |
Recron Fiber Mesh |
595 |
Packets |
22 |
13090 |
7 |
Water Proofing Powder |
1095 |
Kgs |
15 |
16425 |
8 |
Tank Cover |
2 |
nos |
1500 |
3000 |
8 |
Metal |
104 |
Brass |
1200 |
124800 |
9 |
Shuttling & Reinforcement |
1 |
|
25000 |
25000 |
10 |
11 GI Sheet & Angle |
1 |
Nos |
10800 |
10800 |
11 |
Up take pipes |
|
|
|
|
12 |
GI - 2 1/2" |
200 |
mtr |
220 |
44000 |
|
GI - 2" |
250 |
mtr |
200 |
50000 |
|
GI - 1 1/2" |
500 |
mtr |
171 |
85500 |
|
GI - 1 1/4" |
250 |
mtr |
148 |
37000 |
13 |
Down take pipes |
200 |
mtr |
|
|
|
GI - 2" |
1000 |
mtr |
200 |
40000 |
|
GI- 1 1/2" |
1000 |
mtr |
171 |
171000 |
|
HDPE - 1 1/4" |
500 |
mtr |
40 |
40000 |
|
HDPE - 1 " |
300 |
mtr |
28 |
14000 |
|
HDPE - 3/4" |
|
|
22 |
6600 |
14 |
Other Pipe Fittings |
|
|
|
50000 |
15 |
PUMP 15 HP & PANELS ETC |
|
|
|
50000 |
16 |
MSEB DEPOSITS ETC |
1000 |
rft |
|
50000 |
17 |
GI Pipe Railing & MS Channels |
|
|
50 |
80000 |
18 |
Mixer vibrator rentals |
|
|
|
40000 |
19 |
JCB & Dumper rentals |
|
|
|
20000 |
20 |
Skilled Labour & Supervision |
|
|
|
30000 |
21 |
Missalaneous |
|
|
|
35000 |
|
Total |
|
|
|
1800015 |
This estimate covers the following scope of work :
-
Construction of Bund
-
Construction of Pump House
-
Installation of Pump
-
Uptake & Down take Pipleines
-
Construction of Water Tank of capacity 63000 Liters
-
Construction of Water Outlets at different points
PICTURES OF INAUGURATION CEREMONY
The Karjat
Water Project - Glimpses
Photographs taken
on the Inauguration of The Karjat Water Project on 18.04.2005 at
Burujwadi/Pokharwadi Village, Karjat executed by Sri Sathya Sai
Seva Organisation (Maharashtra & Goa). The above said Project
was sponsored by HDFC Bank
Bhagavan Sri
Sathya Sai Baba instructed that this water project must be
inaugurated on 18.04.2005 on the auspicious Ramanavami Day.
Water is the
lifeline for human life. While most people in the urban areas
take clean and pure drinking water for granted, there are many
villages in the country, where availability of drinking water is
a luxury. The cluster of villages at the foothills of Matheran
is one such place. These villages have abundant rainfall but due
to poor conservation techniques they face severe shortage of
water post monsoon. The villagers are compelled to trek almost
3-4 kms to fetch water.
The Sri Sathya Sai Trust Maharashtra, a service oriented
spiritual organization, inspired by the monumental humanitarian
work of Sri Sathya Sai Baba,'undertakes many public service
projects across the state of Maharashtra.
The water project for Adivasi villages located at the foothills
of Matheran is one such project, which gives an excellent
example of how various organizations can come together and
achieve great things for greater good and upliftment of the poor
& the needy.
This project has
been fully funded to the tune of Rs.18 Lakhs by the HDFC Bank
Ltd. which is the leading private sector bank in India providing
a whole range of banking solutions covering both commercial and
investment banking on the wholesale side and transactional /
branch banking on the retail side. It is the bank's wholehearted
support, which has aided the quick and successful implementation
of the project.
This project is one amongst the myriad social responsibility
missions taken on by HDFC Bank to serve humanity. The
fundamental teaching of Sri Sathya Sai Baba which is "Love All
Serve All, Help Ever Hurt Never" and the HDFC Bank's caption "We
Understand Your World" has brought the synergy of Love &
understanding resulting in manifestation of this project.
This project will cater to 7 villages and will provide water to
more than 1200 villagers. A Bund is built which will conserve
the water and will supplement the well, which acts as the
permanent source of water throughout the year. A submersible
water pump of 15HP is installed which will pump the water to the
height of 120 meters on the hillock. HDPE pipeline measuring
approximately 5 Kms has been laid which will carry the water to
the Water Storage tank. The capacity of the storage tank is
90,000 litres which is built on the hillock. There are 14 water
distribution outlets built, which will provide cool pure
drinking water to the villagers at their doorstep.
KARJAT WATER PROJECT - PRESS RELEASES
April 19, 2005 -
The Free Press Journal, Pg 15, 'Joint
efforts of HDFC Bank and Sri Sathya Sai Trust make 7 tribal
villages 'free from water scarcity'.
April 19, 2005 -
The Times of India, Pg 6, 'Finally,
Water on Taps'
April 21, 2005 -
Navbharat Times, 'HDFC
Bank - Sathya Sai Trust Water Project Inauguration'.
April 21, 2005,
Saamna, 'HDFC
Bank - Sathya Sai Trust Water Project Inauguration'.
April 25, 2005 -
Indian Express, 'Water
from Dust'.
April 26, 2005 -
Loksatta, 'HDFC
Bank - Sathya Sai Trust Water Project Inauguration'.
A Unique
Contribution for a Noble Cause - Water for Adivasi Villages
Water is the
lifeline for human life. While most people in the urban areas
take clean and pure drinking water for granted, there are many
villages in the country, where availability of drinking water is
a luxury. The cluster of villages at the foothills of Matheran
is one such place. These villages have abundant rainfall but due
to poor conservation techniques face severe shortage of water
post monsoon and the womenfolk have to trek almost 3-4 km for
fetching drinking water daily.
The Sri Sathya
Sai Trust Maharashtra is a service oriented spiritual
organization, inspired by the monumental humanitarian work of
Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, undertakes many public service
projects across the state of Maharashtra. The water project for
Adivasi villages located at the foothills of Matheran is one
such project, which gives an excellent example of how various
organizations can come together and achieve great things for
greater good and upliftment of the poor & the needy.
This project
has been fully funded to the tune of Rs. 18 Lakhs by the HDFC
Bank Ltd. which is a leading private sector bank in India
providing a whole range of banking solutions
covering both
commercial and investment banking on the wholesale side and
transactional / branch banking on the retail side. It is the
banks wholehearted support, which has aided the quick and
successful implementation of the project.
This project is one amongst the myriad
social responsibility missions taken on by HDFC bank to
serve humanity.
The
fundamental teaching of Sri Sathya Sai Baba "Love All Serve All
& Help Ever Hurt Never" and the HDFC Bank's caption "We
Understand Your World" has brought the synergy for this project
to manifest serving the poor Adivasi villagers.
This project will cater to 7
villages and will provide water to more than1200 villagers. A
Bund is built which will conserve the water and will supplement
the well, which acts as the permanent source of water throughout
the year. A submersible water pump of 10HP is installed which
will pump the water to the height of 120 meters on the hillock.
HDPE pipeline measuring approximately 5Kms is laid which will
carry the water to the Water Storage tank, which has the
capacity to store 90,000 liters, is built on the hillock. There
are 14 water distribution outlets built which will provide cool
pure water to the villagers at their doorstep.
The project is at the final stages of its completion and is
scheduled for the inauguration on the auspicious occasion of
Ramnavmi which falls on 18th April 2005.
Sources:
http://www.dharmakshetra.org/web/youth_wing/karjat.htm
http://www.dharmakshetra.org/web/youth_wing/Karjat/Project_Report.htm
http://www.dharmakshetra.org/web/youth_wing/Karjat/Press/Press_Report.htm |