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.
{{/usCountry}}Considered an important symbol of the capital’s heritage, the Mangi Bridge was integral to the British rulers as a supply route.
{{/usCountry}}“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.”