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The bridge was dismantled and closed for public in 2001. The ROB was scheduled for completion in 18 months but it remains incomplete even after a gap of six years.
The original cost of the project was Rs 9 crore, which was further revised to Rs 13 crore and again to Rs 19 crore due to cost escalation. The project is now estimated at not less than Rs 33 crore.
While it was the MC that had planned the project, the PWD was to execute it and the Railways had to complete the area near the rail lines and co-ordinate the speed of trains while the project was under construction. The poor mode of payment to the PWD was said to be the reason behind the delay but sources reveal that the lack of co-ordination with the Railways led to the delay.
When contacted, MC officials said fresh estimates for the ROB have been called following which the project will be re-started. However, they failed to give an exact date of when the project would resume.
Hitendra Jain, general secretary of Resurgence India, said, “The Lakkad Bridge was an important link between the Old City and Civil Lines area for pedestrians and cyclists. The dismantling of the bridge has increased the traffic load immensely on the alternate links, Domoria Bridge and Jagraon Bridge. But the concerned departments are still in a deep slumber over the issue despite it being raised repeatedly in the media.”
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