Mountain of construction debris chokes Barapullah

The construction of Barapullah Flyover was supposed to bring relief to residents, particularly those living nearby Nizammudin East and West, but that has not been the case thanks to municipal authorities’ negligence.The Barapullah Flyover spanning its 23-km-long namesake drain — the Barapullah nullah is virtually choked these days. Those living nearby (residents of Nizammudin East and West) are left to battle the acrid stench. 

Moreover, with the authorities failing to de-silt and remove flyover construction debris chances are high of the spot being turned into a breeding ground for mosquitoes that too at a time when a few cases of dengue have surfaced in Delhi.The blame-game between the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) and the PWD has led to inordinate delay in de-silting work of Barapullah nullah (drain) blocking 10 of its 12 channels. This has led to a flood-like-situation in several areas in the vicinity of Nizamuddin area, according to residents. 

“Since two channels of the drain are working at present, the sewage water flows back and gushes into the houses of people living in residential colonies in the low-lying areas of Nizamuddin East and West, Siddharth Nagar Extension, Pant Nagar and Jangpura and even a three to four hours’ rain can create mess for nearly 1.5 lakh Delhiites living in this belt,” lament residents.

With construction of Barapullah flyover, tonnes of construction debris have been dumped in the drain. Both the authorities, at the time of construction work, had assured to clear the materials filled in the drain but later they failed to execute the work passing buck on each other. Pile-up of solid waste not only chocked the drain but blocked majority of channels which release water into Yamuna River.

“Despite tall claims of carrying de-silting work properly, only two channels are functioning. The remaining ten are almost closed as debris and mud have completely blocked them. One side the agencies claim to clean the drain by removing debris but the other side huge pile-ups can be witnessed at various junctions,” said Farhad Suri, leader of Opposition in the SDMC and local councillor of the area.

“As 10 of 12 channels are blocked, the waste from the sewer lines remain stuck within the channels forming small islands of debris. This disrupts the smooth passage of the waste substance to the drain. The Barapullah nullah has turned to a flood prone area while the people of Delhi are at the receiving end,” said leader of Opposition SDMC, Farhad Suri.

The link of the long drain starts from New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) area which merges with Yamuna River passing through South Delhi. Touted as one of the biggest drains in the capital, the drain contains sewage disposal from Delhi Jal Board, household squander and waste from sewer lines which directly goes into the nullah.