Delhi High Court Asks PWD To Advance ₹25 Lakh To Army For Bailey Bridge To Prevent Rajputana Rifles Soldiers’ Passage Through Filthy Drain
The Delhi High Court has directed the Public Works Department (PWD) to pay an advance sum of Rs. 25 lakh to the Army for initiating construction of a Bailey Bridge for soldiers of the Rajputana Rifles who have to pass through a filthy drain every morning while marching out of their barracks for heading towards the parade ground.
A division bench comprising Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora ordered that immediately after receiving the payment, the timelines shall be adhered to by all agencies.
The Court was dealing with a suo motu case initiated after judicial note was taken of a newspaper report on the issue.
The development ensued after it was agreed that for the construction of the Foot Over Bridge, a period of ten months would be required. In the interregnum, it was agreed that Bailey Bridge will be constructed by the Army itself within 40 days.
The Court directed that the tender process for the construction of the foot over bridge for the soldiers be also initiated by the PWD, and the report be filed by the next date of hearing.
“In the meantime, let the maintenance of the culvert continue in terms of the order dated 18th June, 2025,” the Court said.
The Court took suo motu cognizance of the report published in Hindustan Times on May 26 titled “A smelly trail from barracks to grounds: Regiment’s daily battle.”
It had said that the soldiers were required to pass through the “culvert” four times a day, the drain was stated to be flooded and was slick with sludge and sometimes near waist- deep in places.
On June 18, the Court had directed the authorities to ensure that there is no waterlogging in the culvert so that there is no impediment on the movement of the soldiers.
It had further directed the authorities to regularly monitor the pumping out of water from the culvert.
While taking suo motu cognizance, the Court had said that the newspaper report relating to the soldiers who have to march through this drain was indeed an “unacceptable situation.”
Title: COURT ON ITS OWN MOTION v. DELHI CONT