Missing its targeted completion schedule, Signature Bridge is now rapidly taking shape braving numerous engineering challenges. P.P. Basistha took a recent stock of the ongoing mega connectivity project taking place in Delhi.
Wazirabad Bridge or Signature Bridge Project is an initiative of Delhi Government, planned during the Commonwealth Games. It was conceptualized to be a landmark tourist icon that would also speed up the movement of expanding vehicular traffic between North and East Delhi over the river Yamuna along with facilitating enhanced interstate traffic movement between Delhi and the states of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. However, owing to numerous project related hindrances, the bridge project got delayed behind its original completion schedule. The project has now been targeted for its completion only by December 2014.
The design and construction of the bridge project has been entrusted to the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) as a deposit work of Delhi Government. The project has been divided into two packages. The first package comprises eastern and western approaches and main cable stayed bridge that will be connected to the approaches. Works for the approaches which are now almost in its completion stage, was awarded to contractor Gammon in 2008 at a cost of Rs.350 crore. The construction components of the eastern approach has 1.8 km long embankment to connect the main cable stayed bridge with the marginal bund road at the Khajuri Khas intersection in East Delhi. It also involves a flyover and a ground level rotary at Khajuri Khas intersection and river training works involving guide Bunds and launching apron.
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