DC Edit | Crumbling Under Corrupt Civic Watch

The collapse of a seven-storey building, which was built on a mere 50-square-yard plot in Hyderabad, is not just another construction-related accident. It reflects a deeper malaise in the municipal administration that allowed the construction despite an official order to stop the work. It resulted in the death of two people.

This under-construction structure had violated almost every safe construction rule. The building had no setbacks. No safety assessment was made before constructing a tall structure close to a drain. Yet local administrators turned a blind eye.

This accident also coincides with deadly fires in Kolkata, where nine people died in a poorly ventilated building due to smoke inhalation. The building had no windows and was built in a congested area where fire engines cannot enter. The primary reason that led to the construction of such a building is corruption among town planning officials.

These are not isolated incidents. Every year, hundreds of people die in fire accidents or building collapses, primarily because they compromised on safety standards in order to lower construction costs.

Another aspect of this issue is poor maintenance of the existing buildings either due to neglect or lack of funds. Many buildings in old and overcrowded areas across Indian cities are displaying visible symptoms of structural ageing. But neither the government nor politicians intervene because it does not win votes. For politicians, it is easier to announce ex gratia to victims than make efforts to redevelop the area.

While it is not easy to convince people to let their houses, to which are attached emotionally, be razed for redevelopment, the government cannot let structurally weak buildings fall like matchboxes. The government should also consider including the concepts on building safety in school curricula to ensure that at least the future generations can build a safe and strong India.