As audit flags safety lapses, Delhi plans repair of iconic Signature Bridge

Recent structural audit reveals safety concerns for Delhi's iconic Signature Bridge, prompting the government to implement a comprehensive repair and maintenance plan. The Bridge Health Monitoring System (BHMS), a key component of the bridge's safety, has been largely non-functional with damaged, missing, or passive sensors. The audit also found erosion and deterioration of foundation protection, particularly around the riverside.

Severe corrosion and rust scaling have been noted in the skywalk ramp steelwork, along with coating failure and corrosion at joints, splices, and fasteners. The audit recommends detailed assessment and rehabilitation of affected steelwork, including structural temperature, strain, wind, displacement, acceleration, inclination, corrosion, traffic, and force sensors, as well as a new data-acquisition system and control-room setup.

The Signature Bridge, inaugurated in 2018, was built at a cost of Rs 1518.37 crore by the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC). After the maintenance period ended, DTTDC faced budgetary constraints and handed over the bridge to the Public Works Department (PWD), responsible for its upkeep and repair. The bridge connects the Outer Ring Road with northeast Delhi's Karawal Nagar and Bhajanpura areas, providing direct connectivity to commuters traveling between Loni, Ghaziabad, Rajinder Nagar, and central parts of the Capital.