Mughal-Era Barapullah Bridge Arches Cleared of Garbage After Years

Buried under decades of waste and neglect, a forgotten marvel of Mughal-era engineering in Delhi is finally seeing the light of day. The Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) department has restored water flow through two of the three arched water bays of the nearly 400-year-old Barapullah bridge by clearing years of accumulated silt and garbage from the drain running beneath it. This marks the first major clean-up effort of the historic bridge in decades and is being hailed as a crucial step in reviving the city’s heritage.

The operation was launched following a Delhi High Court order on May 9, 2025, which directed authorities to take immediate action against illegal encroachments along the Barapullah drain. Once a vital stormwater conduit for the capital, the drain had been reduced to just 10% of its original capacity due to rampant dumping and unauthorized construction. Since a desilting campaign began in August 2023, officials say more than 1.4 million metric tonnes of waste have been excavated from the Barapullah stretch.

According to Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Parvesh Verma, removal of encroachments along the right bank of the drain has allowed for its widening and enabled the clearing of two of the three arches under the bridge. The third bay, however, remains blocked by an electricity tower at its mouth. “This is the first serious cleaning and structural effort in decades,” Verma said.

The clean-up was made possible after a demolition drive at Madrasi Camp, between the Old Barapullah bridge and the nearby railway line, cleared space for desilting. The Barapullah drain, alongside the Najafgarh and Trans-Yamuna basins, forms one of Delhi’s three major drainage systems. Conservation efforts gained momentum after Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena visited the site in August 2024 and highlighted the dire condition of the city’s stormwater infrastructure, which was functioning at less than 10% of its intended capacity. Following his inspection, 24/7 cleaning operations were launched for the Barapullah, Kushak, and Sunheri drains.

Until recently, the Barapullah bridge had almost vanished into the informal settlement of Madrasi Colony in Jangpura-B. Its corridor had become a makeshift market, and its historical value was all but forgotten. However, restoration has picked up pace, with phase one of conservation now completed, including clearing the structure for proper upkeep.

Built in 1621–22 during Emperor Jahangir’s reign, the Barapullah bridge originally crossed a Yamuna tributary near Nizamuddin Basti. The structure was once used as a ceremonial route by the Mughal court. As per the Archaeological Survey of India’s 2001 publication Delhi and Its Neighbourhood, the bridge features 11 arches and 12 piers, believed to give the bridge its name—Barapullah, meaning “twelve piers.” Each pier is crowned with a two-meter-high minar, reflecting classic Mughal architectural elegance.

This renewed focus on conservation and functionality could restore not only the historic bridge's dignity but also its critical role in Delhi’s stormwater management.