Delhi PWD approves Rs 17.5 lakh structural audit for Signature Bridge

On June 12, 2026, the Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) approved a proposal to hire an expert consultant to conduct a comprehensive structural safety audit of the Signature Bridge in New Delhi. The consultant will assess the structural stability of the landmark bridge and evaluate the feasibility of opening its slanting lifts for public use.

According to official documents, the cost of engaging the consultant is Rs 17.5 lakh. The consultancy will deliver a detailed safety assessment and a comprehensive maintenance methodology, which will include recommendations for preventive, periodic, and long-term measures. The PWD has directed the engineer in charge to ensure the work is completed on time, noting that no cost escalations will be allowed without prior approval.

PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh stated that public safety is the government's highest priority. Singh expressed surprise that no structural audit of the bridge had been conducted since its inauguration in 2018, stating that the landmark structure had suffered from years of neglect under the previous government.

The asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge was originally constructed by the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) at a cost of Rs 1,518.37 crore. While DTTDC was initially given funds to maintain the bridge for three years, the agency later faced budgetary constraints. Following multiple requests, the bridge was handed over to the PWD earlier this year.

A senior PWD official said that after taking over the bridge, an internal audit revealed that the road surface, grills, and side railings were damaged, and the streetlights were non-functional. The department subsequently carried out immediate repair works, patching potholes and fixing the streetlights to eliminate dark spots.

PWD officials emphasized that the Signature Bridge is a highly specialized piece of infrastructure that requires dedicated maintenance protocols and periodic audits to prevent failures. The department had initially planned to collaborate with experts from IIT Delhi and IIT Kanpur, and a team from the institutes has already visited the site.