Why connect all bridges?

Irsquom not sure why the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC is trying to fix that bridge I should be more specific given the wellknown problems related to many bridges across the city so what I am referring to here is the Gopal Krishna Gokhale bridgeEveryone in Bombay and beyond now knows that there is a height difference of around six feet between that edifice and the Barfiwala connector in Andheri West There have been memes about the gap and lots of snide comments along with the rigorous pointing of fingers The BMC has also been laughed at but that is something they have long grown used to which makes me believe that naming and shaming is a waste of timeEveryone also knows that there should have been more attention paid to that little detail of where the bridges are supposed to meet before crores were poured into the project but maybe thatrsquos just nitpicking So herersquos the argument Irsquod like to make why bother trying to connect the bridgeAccording to reports in this paper experts from two institutions that specialise in technology but not so much with placements have been advising the civic body on how to resolve the issue By the time this column goes to print work will probably have begun The costmdasha mere R8 croremdashis not what makes me propose that the BMC let both bridges stay the way they are I think it is a solid opportunity for us to make a bold statement about what Bombay really is and what we all stand for as its people It sends a clear message to everyone who visits us lsquoWe want to try but we will never try hard enoughrsquoIf you have been paying attention itrsquos the kind of message we have often hinted at time and again at all entry points to the city Take the airport for example Decades after the embarrassment of our old one we were given a shiny new building that made us beam with pride That happiness lasted only until new management took over Now not only do we have to explain why our international and domestic terminals confuse foreigners we are compelled to apologise for why the airport looks worldclass but doesnrsquot function like one We point to the amazing peacock motifs and attention to detail then struggle to explain why walking from the point of disembarkation to its poorly staffed immigration counters is like attempting a mini marathonConsider our highways They cost a lot apparently but itrsquos never obvious where the money has gone because of how quickly potholes start to appear Itrsquos the thought that counts though We need highways because we are a big city but wersquore not going to make them last too long because that would spoil our residents and make them take smoother commutes for granted Itrsquos also why we plan bigger and flashier projects coastal roads that make life better for a small percentage of vehicle owners and undersea tunnels that arenrsquot always accessible They exist so we can tick little boxes and speak of development while spending smaller and smaller amounts on public healthcare hygiene and educationIf yoursquore vigilant some artistic markers of this trait also exist at various spots Look at those selfie points for instance or the mysterious art projects that appear as if magic in places where we least expect them Look at the strange figures and objectsmdashurns carts butterfliesmdashand try telling a visitor what they signify who put them up or why they exist in the first place Itrsquos all part of the message lsquoWersquore going to try and emulate what the worldrsquos great cities do but wersquore going to do it without too much effort or thought because thatrsquos who we arersquoSo to get back to my original argument I believe the two bridges should stay the way they are The BMC should find some minister to inaugurate them before turning them into an installation project for everyone to admire Let us all applaud the time energy resources and taxes that have gone into their construction then ask ourselves why they fail to meet That existential question will tell us everything we need to know about why corruption inefficiency and a lack of common sense are not liabilities when it comes to how our governmental agencies function They are part of who we are and what makes this city what it is one that is forever striving but never quite arrivingWhen he isnrsquot ranting about all things Mumbai Lindsay Pereira can be almost sweet He tweets lindsaypereiraSend your feedback to mailbagmiddaycomThe views expressed in this column are the individualrsquos and donrsquot represent those of the paper