Signature Bridge late for Games

Chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Wednesday told the Delhi Assembly the Signature Bridge project was not likely to be finished before Commonwealth Games 2010.

Chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Wednesday told the Delhi Assembly the Signature Bridge project was not likely to be finished before Commonwealth Games 2010.

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Dikshit said the Rs 1,400-crore project, which saw several hiccups at the tendering stage, would not be ready before 2011.

“Anyway, it (Signature Bridge) does not have anything to go with Commonwealth Games-related projects,” she said, adding the project was prominent on the government’s agenda. She was answering a question from a BJP MLA on whether the bridge would be ready in time for the Games.

Dikshit said despite the allocation of Rs 770 crore the Centre had agreed to give to Delhi in principle, the state was still cash-strapped.

BJP MLAs staged a walkout after their demands for special discussion on water shortage in the city was not allowed by Speaker Yoganand Shastri.

“There is a major water crisis.... You could at least have a discussion,” said leader of Opposition V.K. Malhotra of the BJP.