Indian Express 25.02.2010
Rs 1,185-cr bridge gets Cabinet stamp
The bridge was first proposed in 2006 by the Delhi government, but the proposal never got Cabinet approval due to a serious debate over the high construction costs.
The Cabinet go-ahead on Wednesday came after the Union Urban Development Ministry approved the project under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. The Union government will pay 30 per cent of the total budget.
Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said, “The bridge, once commissioned, will bring a positive change in the traffic scenario on both sides of the Yamuna near Wazirabad. The much-needed bridge will become reality and facilitate smooth flow of traffic from all sides and benefit commuters on the Outer Ring Road.”
The bridge has been designed by the German firm Schlaich Bergermann und Partner — who are also designing the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium for the Commonwealth Games.
The budget for the bridge, which was Rs 464 crore in 2006 and later crossed Rs 1,200 crore, has now been brought down by Rs 57 crore.
To reduced the cost, the government has reduced the consultancy fee of the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation by one per cent — the budget now stands at Rs 1,185 crore.
Gammon India Private Limited, the lowest bidders for the project, will begin work soon, officials said.
The project was earlier rejected in 2007 after three of seven Cabinet ministers opposed it. The estimated cost of the project by July 2007 had risen to Rs 888 crore (from Rs 464 crore in 2006) after the government decided to invest more to improve the bridge’s construction quality and aesthetics.
In October 2007, the estimate was revised to Rs 993 crore. The Cabinet rejected it then following severe criticism by three Cabinet ministers, a senior official said.
The project was then divided into two parts, the actual bridge and the approach roads. Gammon India has already begun constructing the roads.
Signature bridge
* Will connect NH-1 on Yamuna’s western bank with Wazirabad Road on its eastern bank
* Superstructure will be nearly 175 metres high, bow-shaped pylon with cables
* Will have two subways, footpaths and cycle tracks
* Space for a dual, four-lane carriageway — 14 metres each
* Space for anchoring cables, maintenance walkway, crash barriers on either side of central verge
* Main span will be 251 metres, with approach span on either side of 36 metres each.
