A BRIDGE TOO FAR

I am a civil engineer working for a firm building residential homes.  I normally board the 8.17 metro at Gills Gate metro station for going to work. I climb the stairs to reach the over bridge then walk across it and descend to the metro platform.

 In the morning when I take the train the bridge is usually empty but it would be full of people from around 9 AM. That morning as I was walking on the bridge I noticed a crack on the left side. I stood looking at it even as people passed by ignoring me. I went down caught the 8.17 and took a seat. I wondered what would happen if the crack spread and the bridge collapsed. I shuddered at what could happen if I were on that bridge at that time: I have a wife and two daughters who are old enough to be married. I felt I should urge the people concerned to attend to the bridge.

I started by meeting the Gills Gate station’s superintendent. He was Mr. Solomon an aged man with a bald head and grey moustache. He was standing on the platform when I introduced myself. He at once called me into his office and seated me. Before I could start telling him why I was meeting him  he had to take phone calls and an intrusion by one of his staff but I managed to convey my fear about the bridge.

He listened to me and said “This is only a wayside station. The authorities who handle such major issues are in the headquarters. I only attend to my daily problems which are many.”

“I know where your headquarters are situated. Whom should I contact there?”

Solomon laughed and said “I wish I could tell you. Best would be to go to the headquarters and ask.”

I was determined to make myself heard and walked into the railway headquarters. I was shown a big man in a big office and I walked in. He heard me and said “I’ve an important meeting to attend about elephants crossing our tracks. You should speak to Karen our structural engineer. I’ll have her here in a moment.”

As Karen came in the big man excused himself but not before he said “Karen get coffee for our visitor.”

Karen said “I’ve ordered coffee.” She then heard me and tapped keys on a computer on the table. She said “It is over bridge 375. Safety was surveyed 90 days ago and declared fit. It is due for restoration in 2027.”

Coffee came and as we had it she said “Surface cracks are often mistaken as major faults.”

I said “I’m a civil engineer and know the difference. I’ve been in the structural business for over 35 years and have seen tall buildings collapse starting from minor cracks. What I’ve come to report is something serious.”

She thought a moment and handing me a writing pad with pen said “Please record your complaint. It’ll be sent to the concerned for action.” I put down my complaint with my email address.

I asked “How long will it take for remedial action?”

“Don’t worry. It will be done.”

Three months had passed and I didn’t hear anything further. I thought political pressure would speed up matters and met the legislator of my constituency on a date and time specified by him.

The politico was in his office surrounded by half a dozen people. He didn’t recall having asked me to come on that date and that hour. He said “I hope you haven’t come about water logging. The way it is raining the city is likely to be swept away and these people have come up with complaints” he said pointing.

I told him I wanted to talk about a railway over bridge. He now got into a long phone call and after it  he said to me “That was the chief minister talking to me. Please be seated.”

I was determined to see my complaint acted upon and sat. I listened to long water woes. Then those people left and I was left alone with politico. He said “I’m sorry to have kept you waiting for so long.”

“Doesn’t matter so long as I am heard and my complaint is acted on.”

He got a phone call. He said “Don’t worry. Your shop won’t be touched as you only want to expand. Before I forget I must remind you about my rice cooker which had gone faulty.  Thank you if you’ve replaced it with a new one. I haven’t been home since two days tackling rain havoc.”

I told politico about the bridge and he said “It is a railway affair:  A separate world in itself! I can’t help you. But I greatly appreciate your public spiritedness. Our country needs more people like you. Keep up your fight for the public good.” I thanked him and got out but was called back. The man said “You could help needy women who’re suffering due to the torrential rains: If you buy a ticket for 500 rupees and if you’re lucky you could land a fortune in the draw.” I promised to think it over!

Another 3 months passed but nothing seemed to have been done regarding the bridge crack.

At a technical conference where I was a sponsored delegate I met an engineer who had been in service with the railways. I discussed with him about the problem of the bridge crack. He said “I spent most of my service on the tracks having even travelled by the inspection trolleys over bridges on rivers with no side supports. I retired 20 years ago and have no contacts in railways. You must ask around to find a way out.”

It was nearing a year since I had mooted the problem with the bridge. I again met Solomon of the Gills Gate station. I told him he should bring the matter of the bridge to his bosses when they came.

He said “I wish I could help you. I’m retiring in 10 days. You must talk to my successor.”

I said with a laugh “Suppose the bridge collapses tomorrow and you’re caught beneath!”

He said “No chance of that happening. I don’t use that bridge. And I feel I’ll be safe as my wife and I will go away to live in England with our son settled there.”

“I wish you a happy retirement.”

Next I met Karen in railway headquarters. She couldn’t recall my earlier visit. She checked and said “Complaint pending.”

I felt I had hit a solid stone wall trying to warn about a crack which could endanger the lives of users. I gave up trying to get the bridge strengthened. I’ll shortly be giving up using Gills Gate metro station and the 8.17 as my employer has arranged a car for my use.

END