According to C.M. Vij, engineer-in-chief, MCD: ``We are checking the agreement that we had drawn up with Messers S.A. Builders. However, as per the norms laid down by the Ministry of Transport, a builder's liability ends after 10 years. The MCD will have to pay for these repairs.'' Six-inch wide cracks on the undersurface of the bridge were noticed yesterday, after small chunks of concrete fell off. The bridge is a vital link for commuters travelling on the Dhaula Kuan-Delhi Cantonment-Janakpuri section.

One carriage way of the bridge has been closed to traffic. Elaborate measures have been taken to divert traffic in the area, and these diversions will remain till repair work is finished.

``We are evaluating the damage so as to decide what would be the best and fastest way to repair the damage. We have two options, we can either raise it with the help of hydraulic jets and then repair it or dismantle the surface of the bridge and then repair,'' said Vij. Officials of the UP State Bridge Corporation had begun the evaluation work and only after their study is completed, would they be able to decide which method to adopt.

Municipal Commissioner V.K. Duggal has already instituted an inquiry committee, headed by MCD Chief Engineer Deepak Mu-khopadhyay and Additional Commissioner V.S. Sharma, to fix responsibility and recommend preventive measures to ensure that similar incidents do not occur again. The report is expected within a week.

``We are digging up all the records. The bridge was made operational nearly 17 years ago, which means that the agreement would have been drawn up nearly 20 years ago. We are trying to find out whether the contractor who built the bridge is responsible for the damage,'' said Vij.

Meanwhile, as movement of traffic can be allowed on only one carriageway, the traffic police has restricted the movement in one direction. According to the traffic plan drawn up by them, vehicles will be allowed to ply from Nangal Raya towards Kirby Place in the mornings from 7 am to 4 pm and from 4 pm to 11 pm the Delhi Cantonment-Nangal Raya route will be open. From 11 pm to 7 am, light traffic from both sides will be allowed.