529-year-old Vav lies in a shambles

VADODARA: Some of the step wells, also known as Vav, in Gujarat are marvels of architecture and exhibits the legacy of its developer even today. One such step well is located around eight kilometres from the heart of city. However, it is in a neglected state.
The seven storeyed stepwell in Sevasi on the outskirts of the city was constructed 529 years ago in memory of a spiritual leader, Vidyadhar, who was revered in Sevasi village.The walls of the step well adorn intricate wall carvings and sculptures of Hindu gods.
But, neglect over the decades has weakened the structure which now lies in a sorry state. One wall of the step well has even tilted by some degrees and some pillars have also developed cracks. Locals say that if the wall is not given an external support, there are chances that the entire structure might crumble. Even the 25-feet deep well is filled with garbage with no room for water.
Dinesh Patel, a 62-year-old resident of Sevasi, has been voluntarily taking care of the step well since years. Patel said, "Many times officials from government have come to visit the step well and we have raised the issue of restoration. They say that they will do something soon but nothing has happened so far." Patel sweeps the floors of the step well in the morning daily and takes care of the temple that exists there.
Avantika Singh, former collector of the district, had also visited the site along with eminent citizens few years back and was taken around the step well by the locals. They had also made representation for its restoration. In 2014, a city-based wildlife NGO and an Ahmedabad-based NGO had cleaned the Vav as a part of 'Swachha Monuments - Swachha Gujarat' campaign, but at present it is only Patel who looks after the monument. Patel further said, "I have been to other countries and have seen the way they protect their monuments, it is sad that nothing is being done to protect this step well."
District collector Lochan Sehra told TOI: "We will include the stepwell in next year's tourism list and if the government approves it, we will use the fund for restoration work of the step well so that it develops as a tourist site."