Delhi: Old Yamuna bridge closed for traffic

The Old Yamuna Bridge, connecting east Delhi with the heart of New Delhi, was shut for rail and road traffic early Tuesday morning after the water level in Yamuna rose dangerously.

"The Old Yamuna Iron Bridge has been closed as water level went above the danger mark," a senior police official said.

The traffic movement was closed following the rise in water level to 205.78 metre, which is 95 cm above the danger mark of 204.83 metres.

Officials fear that there could be further rise in the level when water released from Hathanikund Barrage in Haryana reaches the city.

Railways stopped train services on the old Yamuna bridge at around 3 am and are diverting all the trains bound for Old Delhi Railway Station and towards the eastern part of the country through other routes, a Railway official said.

Twenty-seven local trains have been cancelled while 58 short distance trains like Farakka, Padmavati, Howrah Janata, Ranikhet and Lal Quila Express have been diverted.

The closure of the bridge resulted in diversion of traffic to a highway linking Delhi with Uttar Pradesh, which resulted in further choking of roads.