Yamuna facelift plan to be tried out at Barapullah.

The public works department is planning on cleaning a small stretch of the Barapullah drain and developing its banks for walking and cycling. The project, first floated in 2005-06, may finally see the light of day with lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung expected to review it shortly. The proposal is being held up as a miniature version of the Yamuna channelization which civic agencies also hope to implement in the near future. PWD officials said most of the Barapullah drain is either covered or is in the process of being covered.

'This is a portion which we can do nothing about. However, the remaining 4.5km stretch from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to Sarai Kale Khan which is open, will be cleaned to ensure that flow of untreated sewage into the Yamuna is reduced,' said an official. To clean the drain, PWD intends creating ponds at four-odd locations to ensure that the effluent remains still for at least eight to 10 hours. The still water will then be treated with anaerobic bacteria and plantations that will kill the stench of untreated sewage.


TOI