ITO Skywalk to be open by September-end: Sisodia

Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday said the ITO skywalk, Delhi's longest foot overbridge, will be open to public by September-end.

Sisodia, who went to review the work of the 523-metre long foot over-bridge (FOB) with Health Minister Satyendra Jain, said the skywalk is already "75 per cent complete" and will benefit around 30,000 pedestrians every day.

"Built over one of the capital's busiest junctions for vehicular and pedestrian traffic, the ITO Skywalk will be the pride of the city," Sisodia said.

"It used to take 2-3 years to complete such projects, but we will complete this within six months," he added.

The Skywalk, built at an estimated cost of Rs 54 crore, will help ease pedestrian movement along Tilak Marg, Sikandra Road, Mathura Road and Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg.

It will also connect ITO and Pragati Maidan Metro station, and the Delhi High Court through sturdy metallic ramps and stylish overhead canopies.

The project was approved by the Delhi government in May 2017.

"We will install glass lifts at every entry/exit, CCTV cameras will be installed for added security, and all this will be run by solar energy," Sisodia said, adding the project and the Signature Bridge will be a Diwali gift for the people of Delhi.

The skywalk, starting at Pragati Maidan Metro station, will have three arms: One of them will turn left and drop down at Pragati Maidan's gate number 9, the second arm will open at the ITO crossing. The third arm will go under the Metro line and take pedestrians to the entry of the Tilak Lane railway station.

According to the Public Works Department (PWD) officials, the Skywalk's length will be around 523 metres. It is a steel structure with reinforced concrete footing. The deck and staircase will be made of steel. Granite stone flooring will be used on the steps of the staircase.

"Seven glass lifts will be installed with a capacity of carrying 20 persons at a time," the official said.

--IANS

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