Delhi bridge collapse kills woman; Government orders citywide audit

A tragic bridge collapse in Delhi claimed the life of a woman on Tuesday, prompting the government to order a citywide audit of similar structures. The steel truss foot overbridge, located in Roop Nagar near the Najafgarh drain, gave way early in the morning, leading to the fatal fall of a pedestrian into the drain below.

According to officials, the woman was on the bridge when it suddenly collapsed. Rescue teams from the Delhi Fire Service, Delhi Police, and the National Disaster Response Force rushed to the spot and launched an immediate operation. Despite being pulled out of the water, the woman could not be saved.

Following the incident, Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Parvesh Verma termed the collapse “unfortunate” and announced a high-level probe. A three-member committee has been constituted to investigate the circumstances leading to the incident and fix responsibility, with directions to submit its report within 48 hours.

Authorities revealed that the 33-year-old bridge had been inspected in March 2025 and declared structurally unsafe. It was officially closed for public use in July 2025, but residents reportedly continued to access it, raising serious concerns about enforcement and public safety compliance.

In response, the government has ordered a comprehensive structural audit of all iron foot overbridges across the city to identify risks and prevent similar incidents. The site has been cordoned off, and officials said further inspections and safety measures will be undertaken as part of a broader effort to address ageing infrastructure.