Signature Bridge: 6 Years After, Lift Trial Runs Begin

New Delhi: Delhi govt has initiated repair work and trial runs of the long-defunct inclined lift system at Signature Bridge to ascertain whether it can be used.

The lifts, designed for a 154-metre-high viewing deck, were constructed in 2019-20 as part of the tourism aspect of the Rs 1,500-crore project. But the lifts are currently non-functional because they didn’t get regulatory approvals for carrying tourists.

Officials said the current exercise was aimed at evaluating the technical feasibility and safety of the slanting lifts designed to ferry visitors to the viewing gallery atop the bridge’s pylon. Four lifts -- two slanted at an angle of 60 degrees and two at 80 degrees -- were installed at the foot of the bow-shaped pylon.

PWD minister Parvesh Verma said, "I have asked to do a testing of the lift system to know its condition and whether it is in a position to be used. Even if they can be made functional, several safety parameters have to be fulfilled. The department will soon get a report on their condition."

Officials said the key problem was that the lifts were very narrow and the cabin was small. There were also landing-related issues.

The inclined lifts were to offer panoramic views of the Yamuna and the city skyline. However, they were never opened to the public and used only for maintenance, while the viewing gallery remained inaccessible.

The previous attempts to make the system operational ran into regulatory hurdles. Officials of Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC), which was initially responsible for the bridge's upkeep and tourism facilities, had said permissions for the inclined lifts were denied by authorities. The regulations permitted only vertical lifts, making it difficult to clear the slanted design despite adherence to international safety standards, said an official.

The renewed push by Public Works Department comes after it took over maintenance of the bridge from DTTDC and initiated a broader review of its infrastructure. Internal inspections had flagged multiple issues, including non-functional systems and lack of periodic upkeep since its inauguration.

Officials indicated that the assessment of the lift system was being undertaken alongside wider efforts to evaluate and restore various components of the bridge. PWD has also conducted a comprehensive structural audit through expert agencies and is preparing a long-term maintenance plan.

Signature Bridge connects Wazirabad in northeast Delhi with other parts of the city and functions as a key traffic corridor.