British-Time Well Discovered in Middle of Bolar Leewell Road during Road Widening Work
Mangaluru: There used to be a well constructed by a British officer by the name of G Lee Morris, who served the region as Principal Collector in 1863 and 1864, near Bolar which later got the Lee-Well, in the 19th Century. It is learnt that this well provided water for nearly 50 families in that locality. But due to many suicides committed by people jumping into this well, Mangaluru City Municipality had closed it nearly 50 years ago. And after closing the well, a bus shelter was built next to it, which still exits.
A couple of days ago, while the JCB was digging the road as part of road widening work, a sinkhole was noticed. Chittaranjandas Bangera, who operates Radhakrishna Cycle Shop just opposite to this well/sinkhole speaking to Team Mangalorean this morning said, “The sinkhole started to appear as the road caved in possibly due to the recent heavy rains that lashed the City. When I noticed a few children playfully testing the water in what they thought was only a puddle, I chased them away as I realized the British-time well could have resurfaced. I and my nearby neighbours quickly informed the police and MCC Officials, who quickly came to the spot and barricaded the area”.
“Since many suicides were taking place where people used to end their lives by jumping into this well, the City municipality decided to close it a few decades ago. There was also a tank adjacent to the well, which catered to the needs of cattle and horses then. The well also had pulleys on three sides for people to draw water. While the labourers were digging on this road during the road widening work, a sinkhole was noticed, and it was the opening of the old-well” added Bangera.
Even though there is not much history on this Lee-Well, but according to Mangaluru Darshana, a book on the Coastal Town’s socio-political cultural history, reveals that G Lee Morris had served in this region as Principal Collector in 1863 and 1864, but nothing is said about Him constructing the well. But going by his surname Lee, people assume that he could be the one who built the well.
In the meantime, MCC Commissioner Shanady Ajith Kumar Hegde speaking to the media had said that the MCC has approached the Archaeology department and the police, as to what plan of action could be taken. On getting the news, even MLC Ivan D’Souza and many other people, out of curiosity had visited the spot to learn more.
