Signature Bridge project likely to pick up pace

CPWD endorses revised estimate of ₹1,575 crore for project

The Signature Bridge was supposed to be completed before the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Construction of the much-delayed Signature Bridge is expected to pick up pace as the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has endorsed the additional estimate of around ₹231 crore of the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) to complete the project, an official said on Monday.

The Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) had sought the CPWD’s “expert opinion” after the DTTDC submitted a revised estimate of ₹1,575 crore for the project, which was announced in 2004. The project received a nod from the Delhi Cabinet in 2007 and was initially expected to be completed at a modified estimate of ₹1,131 crore before the Commonwealth Games of October 2010.

Of the revised estimate, the Delhi government has released ₹1,344 crore for the project that has witnessed cost escalation several times since its construction started. An official privy to information related to the project said of the ₹231 crore, the PWD has already given ₹36 crore to the DTTDC but had not released the amount to the contractor in view of the PWD seeking the CPWD’s opinion.

The development comes in the wake of the Delhi High Court pulling up the PWD and the DTTDC for “quibbling over” the amount to be paid for construction of the “long overdue” bridge. The court also gave them the last opportunity to ensure the project is completed without any increase in cost.

Many missed deadlines

The bridge had obtained environmental clearance in 2011 and was set to be completed by December 2013. The project deadline was pushed to June 2016 and then to July 2017, which was further pushed to December 2017.

The bridge, once completed, will take vehicular pressure off Wazirabad bridge. It will also connect Outer Ring Road on the western bank of the Yamuna with Wazirabad Road on the eastern side. “The PWD had objected to the revised estimate of ₹1,575 crore as submitted by the DTTDC. The PWD sought the expert opinion of the CPWD, which has now endorsed the revised estimate,” a senior government official said.

The official added that the issue of revised estimate will be sent to the Expenditure Finance Committee of the Delhi government. Thereafter, the Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, will take a final decision on it.