Vision for the Barapullah nallah

The network of nallahs is an important part of the natural heritage of the city of Delhi. All historical settlements of Delhi recognised this fact but today the city's indifferent attitude towards these waterways has reduced these nallahs to sewage carrying channels which are being visually blocked and covered. The first step in reviving the lost waterways would be to bring it to a state where people would want to look at it and connect with it. This has to be done by keeping a check at all water inlets into the drain and integration of natural water treatment methods into the landscape at these points. Once the water quality is maintained the nallah can be designed as something more than just a storm water drain. The barapullah nallah has a potential of becoming a strong link between the heritage structures along the nallah such as Qila Rai Pithora and Siri fort, the institutions along the nallah such as Saket district court, schools like Amity international school and the Pinnacle school, recreational areas like Saket sports complex and parks along the nallah and connecting these with the public transportation systems of Delhi like the metro and BRT. The edge of the nallah should be developed as a public interface. It can be dotted with a line of activities that create a variety of experiences and generates life along the waterfront. The edge condition or the interface between water and land become the most important aspect. Poor settlements are often blamed for causing problems and pollution when they are the only ones coming in direct contact with the nallah. A public participation approach can be taken where these slums are cleared from the nallah edge which is developed with playgrounds, walkways and green water-filtering systems and these people are provided with shelter further away from the edge and given employment through involving them in construction and maintenance. The city notices the nallah at crossovers so these crossovers weather for vehicles or for humans need to bring out and celebrate these water channels instead of trying to hide them away. Elevated walkways across the nallahs connecting various edges of the city can become a part of a successful pedestrian network for the city.