Sri Sathya Sai Water Project Inaugurated on 18th April, 2005

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Karjat Water ProjectInaugurated on 18th April, 2005

 

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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.htmhttp://www.dharmakshetra.org/web/youth_wing/Karjat/Project_Report.htmhttp://www.dharmakshetra.org/web/youth_wing/Karjat/Press/Press_Report.htm

 

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