Random Ramblings of a Reluctant Blogger

Even as we amaze over many photographs on instagram and social media of spectacular multi-lane flyovers and grade separators, there is one overpass, a hidden gem that, I feel, hasn’t quite got its due.
It is a railway overpass connecting Inderpuri and Nariana H-block in New Delhi. So what is so different? You might ask. For starters, it is an engineering marvel. Unlike many flyovers, which have a gradual incline, this one rises steeply almost at a 45 degree angle, which leads to a short table top and then an equally sharp drop almost 45 degree again. For all practical purposes it is a table top.
While on one end the road leading to it has no intentions of indicating a flyover ahead, till you reach there, the slope on the other end isn’t gradual either and the flyover merges with the road in  an almost right-angle turn. This particular spot had no other choice, as just facing the flyover, about just a foot or so ahead are the thick bushes which separates the road from the endless wild land behind it.  To add to the difficulties of the users there are  vertical pillars at the beginning of each end of this overpass. It is to ensure that no other vehicle, apart from two wheelers, uses it.
A single line railway track runs below it, which necessitated the need for this flyover. Mind you this was how it was five decades back when I resided there, and have witnessed many egos being humbled on this unique design.
Many cyclists ventured and tried to surmount this mountaineering challenge only to give up mid-way, dismount and drag the vehicle along.
It was even more challenging for scooters. Given that the pillars were spaced just enough to let a scooter through, one just could not drive full speed ahead hoping to use the accelerated speed to get you to the top. You were forced to slow down to go past the pillars and then halfway through you were struck. Literally so. With one foot on the brake and the other on the ground trying to balance your scooter and yourself, you had to wait for passersby to push you ahead. And those days the Lambrettas and Vespas weren’t some lightweight vehicles either. The speed in any case wasn’t just possible from the other end where the turn loomed large. Also there was no way you could hurtle down full tilt given that the pillars were a constant source of danger.
One of our favourite pastimes was to watch the traffic and the struggles. Many scooterists would drop off the pillion rider before they started on the ascent and a good choice it would be, for his help would be certainly needed half-way through. Some enterprising cyclists, we found very few, were able to cycle all the way up,  eliciting  an applause from us. But in nine cases out of ten it  was the flyover that won.
I used to frequently and successfully ride up with my push-scooter. While shifting from Inderpuri to Nariana, I used to carry a small box, mostly of books, as often as I could, just because I enjoyed it. The foldable push scooter had its flaws though. Having been in use for long the small lever at the base, which helped with folding the scooter, had worn off. But with some dexterity and adequate pressure at the handle bars, I managed to manoeuvre it, without it folding on me. Once a friend insisted he would do the downward slide on my vehicle, my warnings notwithstanding. Down he went with a whooooooo, and half-way through even before the whooooooo could finish with a wheeeeeee  it ended with a aiyooooo. The scooter folded, trapping his legs and went crashing into one of the pillars. I do not recall if he had a fracture, but do distinctly remember that my push scooter had withstood the fall!
Once my friend, with his brother, seated on the cross-bar, started his descent towards Inderpuri. Halfway through, releasing the brakes weren’t working, he jumped off and his younger sibling went flying into the bushes with the cycle. He emerged with scratches and bruises and the cycle resembling some artwork installation.
Over the years I have realised the life lesson this bridge has taught me. When you are speeding on the way to your success in top gear, don’t take it for granted that the momentum will carry you to the top. There are brief spells where you have to slow down, drop down to first gear, be humble and take help, if necessary, to go to the top. Up there, take a breath (after pushing the scooters up the steep slope one had to wait, catch a few breaths and proceed). Also when things are fast going downhill, just pull yourself back and concentrate on the turn ahead and you will soon be on a smoother road.
I wonder if the engineer had such a philosophical bent when he built this masterpiece.
I am not much of a bucketlister, but I would certainly love to know if this gem still exists (the google map shows it does) and would love to give it a visit and offer a salute too.