Delhi PWD Approves Rs 17.5 Lakh Structural Audit of Signature Bridge
The Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) approved a proposal to appoint an expert consultant to conduct a comprehensive structural audit of the Signature Bridge in Delhi. The Rs 17.5 lakh audit will assess the structural stability of the city's first asymmetrical bridge and evaluate the feasibility of making its slanting lifts operational for public use.
PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh stated that public safety is the highest priority for the administration. He noted that no structural audit of the bridge had been conducted since its inauguration in 2018, attributing the lack of maintenance to neglect under the previous government.
According to official documents, the consultant will prepare a detailed structural safety and stability assessment and draft a comprehensive maintenance methodology. This will include recommendations for preventive, periodic, and long-term measures. The PWD directed the engineer in charge to ensure the consultancy services are completed on time without any unapproved cost escalations.
The Signature Bridge project was originally executed by the Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC). While the DTTDC was initially allocated funds for construction and maintenance for three years, it lacked the budget for ongoing upkeep. After several requests, the bridge was officially handed over to the PWD earlier this year.
After taking over the bridge, the PWD conducted an internal audit which revealed that the road surface, grills, and side railings were damaged, and the streetlights were non-functional. The department subsequently repaired the potholes, fixed the damaged road surface, and resolved the dark spots by restoring the streetlights.
A senior PWD official explained that elevated road stretches require structural audits followed by rehabilitation every two years. Since the Signature Bridge had not undergone proper audits or maintenance for years, the department initially planned to involve experts from IIT Delhi and IIT Kanpur. The upcoming independent consultancy report will guide all future repairs, rehabilitation, and maintenance.
