Engineers definitely have better theory to explain the functioning of a Bascule bridge so I will just try to explain what it is like in few words. A Bascule bridge over a canal or river has a dual role – it acts as a bridge and as a road. Most of the time it allows the road traffic to cross and when water vessels need to pass, this bridge moves vertically allowing smooth passage for the giant or mini vessels.
The bascule bridge across an inlet of River Hooghly at Khidderpore port is a notable landmark. Despite the semi-rustic look of that area no one can deny the enthralling beauty of this particular place. A zephyr will always sweep across the face while crossing the bridge.It is a wonder for people who come to areas near Garden Reach once in a while. But it is a dreaded wonder for those who need to cross this bridge everyday to reach their school, college, workplace etc. It does not have any consideration for the puny human beings. It can rise at any time mostly at the rush hours forcing the traffic to come at halt. Sometimes it behaves like an imp who can read the human mind & accordingly play its cards. Often I’ve seen, when I’m in utmost hurry, the bridge goes up! It rises like Triton among the minnows and obviously to take the reins for the next half an hour or more. But there is another underlying horror. History has records when this bridge did not resume its horizontal position due to mechanical disturbance. And then it’s another story.
If there was a device to measure mass fluctuation in emotions, one could have seen the ups and downs of frustration quotient, slang quotient, human bonding quotient – all surfacing when this giant wakes from sleep. Buses, trucks, jumbo containers, lorries, cars, autos, bikes, cycles all stand on both the sides of the bridge following a zigzag pattern. If a photograph is taken from helicopter, they will definitely look like randomly disposed off garbage cans of various sizes. The moment the red light blinks (indicating the rising time of the bridge), all the transports try to speed up to reach the nearest spot at the juncture of the bridge so that they can avoid the elbowing of other vehicles as soon as the light turns green. Series of slangs are bestowed upon the bridge, the vessels and the port mostly by drivers and commuters. Most of the passengers will allow their head to peek out of the rickety windows of the buses to catch a quick glance of the episode. Street hawkers gather around with their treat mostly consisting of diced coconut & lozenges.
Strangers start communicating in such way as if they have known each other for long. When one says,” hai bhagoban”, the person sitting or standing beside will definitely add,” issko abhi uthna tha..” A mother will utter in loud voice to her son sitting at a distant seat,” Beta! Dekho bridge uth raha hai..” And the son who has already seen it will again peep out of the window to please his ma.
Once a passenger excitedly shouted,” bridge doob raha hai!”..(Meaning the bridge is resuming its horizontal position). Everyone in the bus started laughing and another humorously added, “aare bhai, bridge doob gaya toh edhar ka passenger edhar aur udhar ka passenger udhar hi rahe jayenge..”
The incessant babbling starts fading as soon as the vehicles roar in high spirits. People sigh in relief that it is end for today. What about tomorrow? As a school going kid, due to my sympathetic Aunties, I could avoid punishment for reaching late to school…but the finger punching machines put up in offices are not considerate enough. Everyday when I head towards the port area, I try to sense the impending terror….It is a routine now.
The two photos were taken on my mobile.
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