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Help for falling heritage
An integral part of the capital’s colonial heritage is finally getting a much-needed face-lift. After months of planning and delay attributed to logistics, renovation work finally started on the Mangi Bridge behind Red Fort on Thursday.
An integral part of the Capital’s colonial heritage is finally getting a much-needed face-lift.
After months of planning and delay attributed to logistics, renovation work finally started on the Mangi Bridge behind Red Fort on Thursday.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had issued a statement saying that it would renovate the 100-year-old bridge — though it did not fall under its jurisdiction—after Hindustan Times carried a report titled ‘Mangi bridge falls down’ on June 18.
The statement had come a day after the central arch of the century-old bridge had given way for the third time in three months.
Huge chunks of the said arch — weakened by constant brushes by trucks and other heavy motor vehicles — had fallen on the Ring Road below.
As a result, vehicular movement on one of the busiest routes in the city was paralysed from midnight till 6 am, as two bulldozers worked to clear the rubble on a priority basis.
Considered an important symbol of the capital’s heritage, the Mangi Bridge was integral to the British rulers as a supply route.
“It was strategically located with the Red Fort on its east and the Salimgarh Fort on its west. It now serves as an indispensable railway route,” said a senior officer of the ASI who requested anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media.
Superintendent Engineer of the ASI, Delhi Circle, KK Muhammad said: “Since it’s an important part of the city’s heritage, ASI is the sole government agency responsible for its protection. We hope to finish the renovation work within two months.”
