Delhi: ASI to restore historic Barapulla bridge in Nizamuddin within 3 months

NEW DELHI: The historic 400-year-old Barapulla bridge in Nizamuddin has been handed over to the Archaeological Survey of India and it will restore the structure in 3 months, said Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena on Sunday.

“Delighted to share, Delhi’s another heritage- 400 years old Barapulla Bridge (with 12 piers) will soon regain its lost glory. The bridge, which was under heavy encroachment during my visit last Sunday, was handed over to ASI today, which will restore the structure in 3 months, ” Saxena said in a post on X.

Delighted to share, Delhi’s another heritage- 400 years old Barapulla Bridge (with 12 piers) will soon regain its lost glory. The bridge, which was under heavy encroachment during my visit last Sunday, was handed over to ASI today, which will restore the structure in 3 months. pic.twitter.com/cFu2GgKZj7

— LG Delhi (@LtGovDelhi) August 11, 2024

He visited the bridge and reviewed the progress of its restoration work on Sunday.

This was his second visit to the bridge in just a week, the first visit being on August 4. The structure was lying decrepit under heavy encroachment and was reduced to a dump yard of debris and garbage from the nearby localities.

Saxena had directed the removal of encroachment and restoration of the bridge in mission mode. Local residents as well as local representatives have also supported the LG’s initiative to restore the bridge, said a press release released by the LG’s office.

LG was accompanied by Chief Secretary Delhi and the Director General of ASI, who assured a complete restoration within three months. He also directed the ASI to undertake the restoration work while maintaining the originality of the structure and installing proper lighting on the bridge once the works are completed.Saxena lauded the efforts of all concerned agencies—MCD, PWD, I&FC, Railways and ASI—who have put in joint efforts to remove encroachments and desilt/declog the drain flowing under the bridge.

With the concrete efforts of the agencies, encroachment from the bridge has been removed within a week and the desilting of the drain is underway. ASI will take up the restoration work immediately after the desilting is completed.

The bridge, which was built by Minar Banu Agha, under Emperor Jehangir’s tutelage nearly 400 years ago, has been named “Barapulla” due to its 12 piers and 11 arches.

According to historians, the bridge was built in 1628, and the road between the bridge and Humayun’s Tomb was a wide tree-lined path and was considered one of the most beautiful bridges in Delhi.It is believed that the Mughals used the bridge to cross the Yamuna River to reach Nizamuddin Dargah and Humayun’s Tomb on their way from Agra, the then-capital.

This historical architectural wonder, now hidden due to encroachments and constructions over it, is a marvel of engineering and mason ship.

Conservation and restoration of heritage structures in Delhi have been a key focus of LG Saxena ever since he assumed office, according to the press release. Under Saxena’s guidance, historical monuments like St. James’s Church and Mehrauli Archaeological Park have been revived and restored and are attracting huge footfall every day.

Apart from these, monuments like Roshanara Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, Anang Tal Baoli, Rajon ki Baoli, Qila Rai Pithora, Jamali Kamali mosque complex, Dilli Chalo Park, Ghata Masjid, Urdu Academy Park and many others are undergoing restoration, the press release added. (ANI)