Historic 17th-Century Barapullah Bridge to Reopen in Delhi, but Vehicles Will Not Be Allowed

Delhi residents have reason to celebrate as the historic Barapullah Bridge near Nizamuddin is set to reopen to the public in February. However, vehicles will not be permitted on the bridge to preserve its structural integrity.

The 17th-century Mughal-era bridge, which had long suffered from neglect and encroachment, has undergone extensive conservation work by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). To protect the bridge and prevent future encroachments, iron gates have been installed at both ends, allowing only pedestrian access.

Reopening Update
ASI officials stated that most of the conservation work is complete, with only minor masonry repairs remaining, expected to take around two weeks. The gates will remain in place permanently to prevent vehicular traffic from damaging the bridge’s historic structure. R.K. Patel, Superintending Archaeologist of ASI’s Delhi Circle, confirmed that the bridge is largely stable and has been restored for safe public use.

Encroachment Removal Was Key Challenge
Officials revealed that one of the biggest challenges was removing decades-old encroachments. For nearly 20 years, a market operated on the bridge, with unauthorized stalls and waste dumping by local residents. In 2024, over 120 illegal vendors were cleared from the area following directions from Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena.

ASI’s Conservation Work
Once the encroachments were removed, ASI immediately initiated preservation work, including:

• Structural repairs to damaged sections of the bridge.
• Cleaning and beautification around the bridge in coordination with MCD and Delhi Development Authority.
• Excavation and repair of debris-covered walls on both ends of the bridge.
• Installation of iron gates at Nizamuddin and Jangpura ends to prevent misuse.

During restoration, over 600 cubic meters of bituminous surface and more than 1,500 cubic meters of old plaster were removed using machinery.

About Barapullah Bridge
The bridge, located about one kilometer west of Khan-e-Khana’s tomb along the Old Mathura Road, features 11 arched spans supported by 12 pillars, giving it the name “Barapullah” or “Bridge of Twelve Pillars.” Each pillar is topped by a two-meter-high minaret. The bridge is 195 meters long and 14 meters wide. Historical records indicate it was built in 1621–22 under the supervision of Mihir Banfi Aga, a court official of Emperor Jahangir.

Barapullah Bridge once served as a crucial route for Mughal rulers traveling from Agra to the Nizamuddin Dargah and Humayun’s Tomb, and was considered one of the finest bridges of its time. With the conservation work complete, it is now set to welcome pedestrians once again, preserving a piece of Delhi’s Mughal heritage.