THE popular English nursery rhyme treats a bridge falling as a matter of little consequence and something almost amusing. But for the builders, bridge failure is a matter of very serious concern. Bridges being vital and busy transport links, their failure can result in a grievous loss of lives and money, and are blots on the civil engineering profession.
Unfortunately for us, the failure of bridges has become routine, with alarming repetition. They happen during construction, after construction, with traffic, and during different stages of its service life. Failure during construction is generally due to the use of poor material, poor workmanship, or inadequate supervision. Failure during service is due to poor upkeep, or rather, the absence of inspection and maintenance, and a failure to remedy observed defects in time.
Bridges, particularly long-span ones, are undoubtedly some of the man's greatest physical creations. Some of them have become icons for their cities-the Tower Bridge for London and Howrah Bridge for Kolkata. And yet, some 2,000 bridges are reported to have collapsed in our country between 1977 and 2017, and the rate of failures is only climbing.
The opening of a bridge is celebrated with a lot of fanfare in the presence of politicians and bureaucrats, only to be forgotten thereafter. The engineers responsible are only visible and called upon to explain failures and assign responsibility to some lower-level minions.
Bu hikaye The Morning Standard dergisinin July 03, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Morning Standard dergisinin July 03, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
India youngsters get reality check vs Zim
WHEN the Indian team, led by Shubman Gill, landed in Harare for a five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, there talking points were all about cricketing resources, depth of the talent pool and the transition in place.
Nagelsmann optimistic despite Germany's exit
AN emotional Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann said Saturday the team's \"belief in ourselves has returned\" despite a 2-1 extra-time elimination by Spain in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals.
RONALDO: END BECKONS AGAIN
Star striker got all the backing from Portugal manager in the ongoing Euros but his visible inefficiency in front of goal is a clear indicator that his international career is nearing its en
HEALTHCARE SECTOR WITNESSES MAJOR CONSOLIDATION
This year alone sector saw over 8 deals amounting to more than $1,068 million
Govt is wasting taxpayers' money subsidising EVs: Bajaj
THE highly-outspoken Rajiv Bajaj, the chief executive of Bajaj Auto, was at his best free and frank talk, that too, in the presence of the Union transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari, this Friday at his Akurdi plant near Pune.
Biden says only 'Almighty' can pursuade him to quit prez race
JOE Biden's presidential reelection bid hung in the balance Saturday, after efforts to put a disastrous debate showing behind him failed to silence voices urging that he quit the White House race.
Hopes for truce as Hamas drops demand that Israel agree upfront to end war
HAMAS has given initial approval for a US-backed proposal for a phased cease-fire deal in Gaza, dropping a key demand that Israel give an up-front commitment for a complete end to the war, a Hamas and an Egyptian official said on Saturday.
May take years to clean up garbage at Everest camp
THE highest camp on the world's tallest mountain is littered with garbage that is going to take years to clean up, according to a Sherpa who led a team that worked to clear trash and dig up dead bodies frozen for years near Everest's peak.
Floods in central China as dam bursts
CHINESE officials raced Saturday to stem floods caused by a dam breach in central China, state media reported, as the Asian nation grapples with a summer of extreme weather.
PM Starmer creates 'mission delivery boards' for ministers
BRITISH Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday presided over his first Cabinet meeting and created \"Mission Delivery Boards\" for his ministers to drive through the \"change\" he said the public had voted for in the general election.