Signature Bridge: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to inaugurate 575-metre suspension structure today

The wait for the Signature Bridge in the national capital is finally over after 14 long years. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will inaugurate the 575-metre-long suspension bridge on Sunday and it will be thrown open for public on Monday.

Built over river Yamuna, Signature Bridge will reduce the travel time between north and northeast Delhi. It will also share the traffic burden of the Wazirabad bridge. It will also offer a panoramic view of the city and have designated selfie spots.

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Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia visited the bridge on Friday and conducted inspection to ensure everything is in place.

Delhi! Here is your pride ..The Signature Bridge ..
Ready to welcome you tomorrow for inauguration ceremony.. 4pm onwards.. Sunday. 4th Nov. pic.twitter.com/kVicLkACWh

— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) November 3, 2018

Delhiites will be able to enjoy a panoramic view of the city from the 154-metre-high glass box on the top of the bridge, where they will be taken in four elevators with a total capacity of carrying 50 people. The elevators area likely to be operational in two months, an official said.

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Announced in 2004, the bridge has missed several deadlines since 2011. The proposal for the bridge, mooted in 2004, received approval of the Delhi Cabinet in 2007. It was initially expected to be completed at a modified estimate of Rs 1,131 crore for the Commonwealth Games, held in Delhi in October 2010. In 2015, the cost of the project rose to Rs 1,594 crore. Reportedly, the bridge was proposed for the first time as early as in 1997 at an initial cost of Rs 464 crore.

All you need to know about the Signature Bridge:

1. It is a 575-metre-long suspension bridge.
2. It will reduce travel time between north and northeast Delhi, taking the load off Wazirabad bridge
3. There will be an observation deck on the tip of the pylon to take a panoramic view of the city. The pylon is boomerang-shaped and is a high-steel glass structure. The viewing deck is likely to be open to public by February.
4. The visitors will be taken to the viewing deck in four elevators, which will be able to carry around 50 people at a time. The elevators area is likely to be operational in two months.
5. The proposal for the bridge, mooted in 2004, received approval of the Delhi Cabinet in 2007.
6. As per reports, the bridge was proposed for the first time as early as in 1997 at an initial cost of Rs 464 crore which escalated to a whopping Rs 1,500 crore.
7. The Signature Bridge is one of the most expensive projects of the Delhi government.

(With agency inputs)