The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the Public Works Department (PWD) to initiate the tender process for constructing a long-overdue foot over bridge (FOB) in the Delhi Cantonment area, following revelations that soldiers of the Rajputana Rifles Regiment have for decades been wading through a filthy, sewage-filled culvert to reach their parade ground.
A division bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Manmeet P S Arora issued the direction after reviewing a status report submitted by the Delhi Cantonment Board. The report, based on meetings held on July 10 and 24, confirmed that all key agencies—including the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), the PWD, and the Rajputana Rifles Regiment Centre—had agreed to complete the FOB within 10 months.
“Simultaneously, let the tender process for construction of the FOB be also initiated by the PWD and a report be filed. In the meantime, the maintenance of the culvert will continue to be carried out,” the bench stated in its order.
As an interim solution, the Army has decided to construct a Bailey bridge—a portable, prefabricated truss bridge often used for temporary crossings during emergencies or wartime.
The report was filed in compliance with the High Court’s June 18 order directing the PWD, Delhi Cantonment Board, and the Delhi Traffic Police to jointly explore immediate solutions for the soldiers’ movement.
The matter first drew judicial attention on May 26 when the High Court took suo motu cognisance of a media report highlighting the appalling conditions faced by over 3,000 soldiers. According to the report, the personnel are forced to cross a foul-smelling, often waist-deep open drain four times a day due to the lack of a proper bridge.
“The soldiers are required to pass through this culvert four times a day. The said drain is stated to be flooded and is slick with sludge and sometimes near waist-deep in places,” the bench had remarked.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for August 29, urging all agencies to act swiftly to alleviate the hardship faced by the armed forces personnel.
