100-year-old bridge found ‘shaved’ on Heritage Day

Built by the British more than 100 years ago,the bridge runs over Ring Road and is under the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) jurisdiction. Parts on the bridge’s inner walls gave way late last night,ASI officials said.

THE CONCERN

K K Mohammad,ASI’s Delhi Circle superintending archaeologist,said,“This is an important heritage bridge and is a protected structure under ASI. The damage is caused due to heavy vehicles plying (on Ring Road) under the bridge,which leads to scraping of the inner walls. The road level has also risen over the years as new layers are added unwittingly.

“The issue was brought to our notice today. We will take it up with the traffic department and the civic body in charge of the roads here.”

THE SOLUTION

The ASI plans to first reconstruct the damaged portions and is also working on a long-term solution,Mohammad said. Since restricting traffic on this stretch is not possible,barriers could be erected under the bridge to avert direct contact with overloaded trucks.

“Similar damage is being noticed even on the three bridges near Kashmere Gate. But here we propose to make it an island and restrict traffic so that the heritage structures can be protected.”

Incidentally,the adjacent bridge under Northern Railways,just 90 meters from Mangi Bridge,is untouched by abrasion. Railways officials said engineers are deputed to regularly inspect and maintain the bridge to help preserve it.