Zooming above waves from Bandra!

For years, Mumbaikars were glued to the this particular spot under the flyover between Bandra and Mahim. The place from where the work of Bandra-Worli Sea Link (now dubbed BWSL even though Hon Minister for Agriculture proposed to be named after Rajiv Gandhi). Gradually the structure took shape and four years beyond the scheduled time, one side of this link is officially declared open on 30th June 2009 by Chairperson of UPA Smt Sonia Gandhi.

The city was buzzing from morning of the day of her arrival. Cops were standing in attention at all major traffic junctions, all clean shaved, shoes shining, uniforms pressed (maybe twice  to get the perfect crease). I have to cross the airport on the way to my office and was unfortunate to get stuck for good 20 minutes near the signal near my office to allow the convoy of wailing vehicles to pass through to receive her at airport. 

The tall structure of the link from which n number of cables webbed out and spanned a good part of the bridge, could be seen from the upper floors of my office. Whenever I happened to be on upper floors, I would gaze seaward and imagine myself zipping on a bike on this marvelous engineering feat on a bike with a pillion rider (definitely not a male one ! ) with the breeze wizzing on my face and the long hairs of my pillion rider flapping madly.

The Times of India dedicated quite a few pages of their 30th June edition for this historical event. The bridge is designed by a 77 year old gentleman, Mr. Sheshadri Srinivasan, who has to his credit several landmark bridges across the globe. The famous  Jamarat Bridge in the holy city of Mecca, is also designed by him.  

We are seeing the almost completed structure now. But I can imagine, how Mr. Srinivasan must have first picked up his pencil and started on a blank sheet. He must have perhaps stood at a window or on the promenade somewhere in Bandra/Worli and let his imagination run riot. Several images must have flashed in his mind and finally a visualisation of the current structure must have taken root in his mind. A set of rough thoughts in form of impulses in his brain. Wow! It surely takes lot of creativity, coupled with conviction to finalise the design of such a fabulous structure which is meant to stay for years and years and withstand the elements of nature. It has to withstand the fierce heat of Sun, the coldest winter days, the winds, rains, thunder and also the sea in all its varied moods, sometimes lapping gently on its foundation or raging against it ferociously. Above all this, the bridge will bear the brunt of the main purpose for which it is there in first place, the millions of vehicles which will gleefully zoom across its lanes day in and day out to reach their destinations.

I am sure in all this cacophony, perhaps the one who must have got the most satisfaction for a job well done, must be Mr. Sheshadri Srinivasan. Not forgetting all the thousands of others involved in the creation, like the unskilled labour just there to haul the heavy equipment and tools, the boatman who made thousands of sorties to and fro from the shore to site, the qualified engineers of various hues who must have strived in yellow helmets gazing up at scorching sun or moonlit nights with a smiling full moon on them, like the various chiefs-of-this department and that department who must be yelling orders and directions........the list will be endless. My hats off to these beings who let their small hands in creating this mammoth structure. 

Lastly, I have no words for the politicians who are basking in its glory like its is because of them that BSWL has seen light of day.........