NMC Begins Restoration of 300-Year-Old Bhonsle-Era Well in Sonegaon Amrai Two weeks after an inspection by Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) standing committee chairperson Shivani Dani-Wakahre, the civic body has initiated a large-scale clean-up operation of a nearly 300-year-old well in Sonegaon’s historic Amrai forest area. The structure, believed to have been constructed during the reign of Raghuji Raje Bhonsle-I, had fallen into disrepair, becoming a dumping ground filled with filth, algae, household waste, and liquor bottles. The restoration effort involved cranes, JCB machines, and water-pumping equipment to remove decades of accumulated debris. Workers retrieved hundreds of discarded liquor and beer bottles, plastic waste, wrappers, and other garbage that had accumulated both on the surface and within the historic structure. The well, a relic of the Bhonsle era and one of Nagpur’s lesser-known historical sites, had remained neglected for decades despite its location in the picturesque Sonegaon Amrai area. Constructed during the Bhonsle reign and later preserved during British rule, it once served as a key water source. Assistant commissioner of Laxminagar zone Dhananjay Jadhav stated that after the inspection, authorities checked whether the well was listed as a protected heritage structure due to its Bhonsle-era origins. While it was not officially recognized as a heritage monument, residents demanded its restoration, prompting the civic body to take action. Jadhav explained that the clean-up involved coordination with the fire department, arranging vehicles and machinery to pump out dirty water and remove debris. The effort gained momentum following repeated appeals by the citizen group “Save Sonegaon Amrai,” formed by residents and regular visitors of the area.#nagpur_municipal_corporation #shivani_dani_wakahre #sonegaon_amrai #save_sonegaon_amrai #dhananjay_jadhav
