Janak Setu may remain closed for more than a month

Deep Mathur,MCD spokesperson said,“A MCD team inspected the site on Tuesday. The findings of both the MCD and the CBRI will be compiled and only then will we get a clear picture. Restoration,however,is a complex process and will take a few months.”

The MCD is now deliberating whether simply to repair the fault,which occurred on Monday,or undertake a full restoration of the Setu. “A restoration plan worth Rs 7 crore was already in the pipeline for two months. We are looking at whether to carry on with that plan,or to make changes to the breach,” Mathur said.

The traffic police,meanwhile,has taken a slew of measures to try and keep the flow of traffic as smooth as possible.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Satyendra Garg said,“Traffic has been stopped completely on both carriageways as the bridge is not safe. A plan has been put in place.”

Under the plan,for commuters from Delhi Cantonment towards Jail Road,traffic is directed left towards the Sagarpur flyover or towards the Ring Road via Thimmaya Road. A left turn from Brar Square has also been stopped.

For commuters traveling towards Delhi Cantonment,traffic is diverted to the Ring Road via Naraina and Mayapuri. “We do not know how long the situation will last for,but we are trying to make a difficult situation as bearable as possible,” Garg said.

Traffic around Dhaula Kuan,Najafgarh,Delhi Cantonment and NH 8 towards the airport has been affected.

Suraj Choudhary,a commuter on the stretch said,“On Monday,at least one carriageway was available,now both are shut.”

Shyam Yadav,driver of DTC bus,route number 711 that plies in the stretch,said,“Usually one round would take me close to two hours. Now it takes four and a half. I am missing several stops as well because of all the diversions.”