In history, renowned for its sacrality, for flowing clean and blue, these storm water drains were essential features of natural drainage system of the 7 cities of Delhi which used to carry excess rainwater runoff to Yamuna and recharging wells, stepwell, tanks along the way. Presently, the city has turned its back on the river, buried its stream under concrete, rooted tall concrete pillars in the
nallah to support the elevated road, rendering the drain oblivious to the flowing traffic above and the people of city. The city of Delhi that constitutes only 2% of the entire catchment area of the River Yamuna is responsible for 80% of its pollution load. The Barapullah Nallah flows north along Jangpura and Nizamuddin, past a graveyard, adjacent to the Khan-e-Khana’s tomb under the historic barapullah bridge of 12 pallahs before meeting Yamuna. The area under the Barapullah Expressway has become a dead space, being used to dump garbage,a breeding ground for the slums that are polluting the drain.
