Signature Bridge
The much-awaited Signature Bridge was inaugurated by Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Sunday. The public will be able to use the 675-metre-long cable suspension bridge to travel between north and northeast Delhi from Monday. The bridge also promises to serve as a major tourist destination.
Here are the Latest Updates from the Signature Bridge inauguration:
05:51 pm: Time has come to decide whether the people of the nation wants better bridges or statues, says, Chief Minister Kejriwal
05:48 pm: Delhi will be now known for the 'Signature Bridge' rather than Red Fort and Qutab Minar, says Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
05:30 pm: If Prime Minister Narendra Modi had worked even slightly for the construction of this bridge, then I would have raised slogans praising the prime minister., says Manish Sisodia.
05:22 pm: CM Arvind Kejriwal & Dy CM Manish Sisodia inaugurated the Signature Bridge over Yamuna river, today. It will reduce travel time between northeast & north Delhi. The Signature Bridge will be opened for public tomorrow.
05:12 pm: Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal slams the BJP over the chaos created by the BJP at the venue site.
05:09 pm:
04:52 pm: Thousands of people have come here to celebrate without an invitation card, but the MP (Manoj Tiwari) considers himself VIP. He is doing hooliganism. BJP people thrashed AAP volunteers & local people. They are admitted to hospital: Dilip Pandey, Aam Aadmi Party.
04:39 pm: I was invited to the inauguration event. I am MP from here. So what's the problem? Am I a criminal? Why has the police surrounded me? I'm here to welcome him (Arvind Kejriwal). AAP and police have misbehaved with me: BJP's Manoj Tiwari
04:30 pm: BJP Delhi Chief Manoj Tiwari at the inauguration of the Signature Bridge in Delhi says, "In my constituency (North East Delhi.), I re-started construction of the bridge after it was stalled for many years & now Arvind Kejriwal is organising an inauguration ceremony."
04:26 pm: BJP Delhi Chief Manoj Tiwari, his supporters and AAP supporters enter into a scuffle at the inauguration of the Signature Bridge in Delhi; Police present at the spot
03:45 pm: BJP leader Manoj Tiwari and his supporters reach Signature Bridge despite police resistance. The BJP workers reached the bridge on foot from the western entry. Tiwari had declared on social media that he will welcome the CM as he arrives at the bridge for inauguration as it falls within his Lok Sabha constituency.
Interesting facts about Delhi's new bridge on Yamuna River
#The Signature Bridge is the first asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge in India and will offer panoramic view of the city.
#Built over river Yamuna, Signature Bridge will reduce the travel time between north and northeast Delhi. It will also share the traffic burden of the Wazirabad bridge.
#It took 14 years to build it, but the iconic Signature Bridge is finally ready for Delhi. The Signature Bridge's planned inauguration was to coincide with 2010 Commonwealth Games, but after a series of delays, it is now finally ready for public to travel and marvel.
Interesting facts about Signature Bridge
#The bridge will have high glass box at the height of 154 metres (505 ft or 40-50 floors), which will act like an observation deck for the visitors, giving them a bird's-eye view of the city. The viewing deck is likely to be open to public by February. The viewing gallery in newly inaugurated Statue of Unity is at 153 metres.
#The visitors will be taken to the viewing deck in four elevators, which will be able to carry around 50 people at a time. The elevators area is likely to be operational in two months.
#The 675-metre Signature Bridge will also have designated selfie spots for tourists to seal their memories.
Politics on inauguration of Signature Bridge
The iconic bridge has run into a political controversy even before inauguration as BJP and AAP leaders engaged in online tussle over credit for building the bridge.
BJP's Delhi chief spokesperson Manoj Tiwari, who claimed that the bridge was passed in 2003 under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, announced on Twitter yesterday that he will be at the bridge from 3 pm to welcome the Delhi CM when he returns from his Haryana tour, as he is the elected-MP of the region.
The BJP leader also stated that the fact that it took 15 years to complete '675-metre' bridge worth Rs 'Rs 15,000' was shameful.
Responding to the jibe, Delhi's Deputy CM Sisodia said that the entire city is welcome at the inaugural ceremony. "The entire Delhi is invited to the inauguration of Signature Bridge. You are also cordially invited," Sisodia said, adding that 'the bridge may be a shame for BJP, but its inauguration is a matter of pride for Delhi'.
(With Inputs from PTI)
