MCD to demolish foot-over-bridge in Daryaganj

Wednesday, Feb 09, 2011




One of the oldest and landmark foot overbridges in the city - the iron bridge at Netaji Subhash Chandra Marg - is soon going to be dismantled.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has asked the Delhi Traffic Police to make alternative arrangements for traffic on this busy route so that the 47-year-old structure can be dismantled.

In a related development, residents of Daryaganj are hopeful that Delhi Metro's plan to extend its Central Secretariat line till Jama Masjid will solve the traffic problem in this area.

"We have decided on the company which will dismantle the bridge. We can't carry out the work during daytime, as the road underneath is one of the busiest roads in town. We have to do the work at night. The bridge is constructed in one piece. There is no support in the middle. So we have to remove the main part of the bridge in one go. We will use two-three cranes to lift the main portions,'' said an MCD official. According to traffic police officials, the decision on traffic diversion will be taken in a day or two.

Netaji Subhash Chandra Marg is one of the main roads leading to Red Fort and the mad rush at Daryaganj simply adds to the traffic. Local traders say that the demolition of this bridge will aggravate the traffic mess on this road. "There are so many schools in New Daryaganj and kids often use this bridge to cross over. If MCD doesn't construct an underpass or subway, then people will have to risk their lives to cross the road. As there is a intersection right after the bridge, traffic never stops here. MCD should find a solution to this problem before dismantling the bridge,'' said Ashok Sahdev, vice-president of Daryaganj Traders' Association.

The bridge is in a dilapidated condition as it is very old. Moreover, it has become a hub for drug peddlers and local goons. "It has served its purpose and is now in a precarious condition. Ever since it was constructed, it has never been used much by people living in this area. As one has to climb too many stairs, locals prefer to cross the road without using the bridge. So many illegal structures (shops) have come up below the bridge which further add to the traffic congestion,'' said 78-year-old Haji Mian Faiyaz-Uddin, who runs a hotel near Jama Masjid.

Earlier, MCD was planning to construct an underpass-cum-subway to ease the traffic congestion on this road. But now with Delhi Metro planning to extend the Central Secretariat line till Jama Masjid, MCD is banking on it to construct a subway. DMRC officials say that if MCD approaches them with a proposal then they will incorporate it in their plan for the Jama Masjid Metro station. "If MCD wants we can construct a subway along with the Metro station. We are right now in the planning stages so we can incorporate such suggestions. We need to work out the technical details,'' said Kumar Keshav, director (projects), DMRC.

Locals too are hopeful that the Metro will solve their traffic woes. The carriageway is very narrow and a good portion of it is encroached by small shops. "People park their vehicles on the road which further adds to the congestion. We have asked traffic police to make Netaji Subhash Chandra Marg one-way so that there is a smooth flow of traffic,'' said Sahdev.

Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/MCD-to-demolish-foot-over-bridge-in-Daryaganj/articleshow/7455833.cms