New Delhi, July 31(HS): The Delhi High Court ordered the Delhi government's PWD department to allocate ₹25 lakh to the army for building a bailey bridge for the Rajputana Rifles. Justice Pratibha Singh emphasized that all construction processes must proceed promptly after the funds are disbursed.

The PWD stated that constructing a foot overbridge would take ten months, while the army could finish the bailey bridge in 40 days, prompting the court to prioritize the bridge for the army. Soldiers currently navigate a dirty drain daily between their barracks and the parade ground, leading the court to mandate that the drain remain dry to facilitate movement. A previous directive on June 18 called for a joint meeting involving the PWD, Delhi Cantonment Board, and Delhi Traffic Police to quickly address the issue, ensuring soldiers can participate in daily parades.

The court allowed the Delhi Cantonment Board to involve other army agencies and requested a report on the cost, design, and construction timeline for the foot overbridge, which the PWD will finance. Despite prior approval by the PWD, construction of the foot overbridge has yet to begin.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar