In a significant move to protect critical infrastructure, Delhi's Public Works Department (PWD) has announced the deployment of armed security personnel at the iconic Signature Bridge in northeast Delhi. This decision comes in response to a series of thefts and acts of vandalism targeting the structure.
Night Patrols with Firearms to Deter Criminals
According to officials who spoke to PTI on Thursday, the new security protocol involves stationing one armed guard primarily during night hours, when incidents are most frequent. Two additional unarmed guards will be deployed for daytime surveillance. A senior PWD official revealed the severity of the situation, stating that there have been multiple theft cases. In some alarming instances, thieves even attacked the existing guards with knives. The armed deployment is aimed at ensuring both guard safety and the protection of the bridge's assets.
A Troubled Landmark with a Costly Past
The Signature Bridge, which opened to the public in 2018, is Delhi's first asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge. It was constructed by the tourism department at a staggering cost of over Rs 1,500 crore. Despite its architectural significance, the bridge has often been in the news for unfortunate reasons, including suicide incidents. The most recent such tragedy involved a Delhi University student in July last year.
Originally built by the tourism department, the bridge's maintenance was later transferred to the PWD after the former cited a lack of funds. To implement the enhanced security, the PWD has floated a tender worth Rs 1.5 crore under its annual maintenance budget. The contract will cover security guards in eight-hour shifts. As per the tender conditions, candidates must be below 55 years of age and fluent in both Hindi and English.
Strategic Importance and Connectivity
The Signature Bridge is a vital transport link, connecting the Outer Ring Road with areas like Wazirabad, Karawal Nagar, and Bhajanpura. It also provides crucial access to the Grand Trunk Road, Shahdara flyover, and routes leading towards Ghaziabad and ITO. Securing this key piece of urban infrastructure is therefore a priority for the city's administration.
The move to deploy armed guards underscores the growing challenges in safeguarding public property in the capital and marks a new chapter in the ongoing efforts to maintain the structural and operational integrity of the Signature Bridge.
