Bridge of Rs. 1,575-cr gets clearance

The much delayed iconic 'Signature Bridge' in the National Capital, which entailed an investment of Rs.1, 575 crore, has finally secured eco clearance. The unique cable-suspended bridge located in Wazirabad and connecting north and east Delhi, has been given an "in-principle approval" by the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority of Delhi (SEIAA), functioning under the ministry of environment, said sources. Bridges did not require an Environmental Clearance (EC) when the Signature Bridge was first proposed in 2004, however, the clause was brought to the notice of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) by a petitioner to which, the NGT ruled that it needed a 'green audit' as it was being built over a vast area of 2.80 lakh square meters and on the sensitive Yamuna River. Experts on the SEIAA panel - who come from various backgrounds like geological, seismological, forest, wildlife, building construction bylaws - were all happy and satisfied that the construction of the bridge matches the requisite conditions.