Building on Shaky Ground

The recent collapse of a four-storey building in Bhiwandi, a suburb outside Mumbai, has highlighted India’s crumbling infrastructure. The incident resulted in one fatality and left several others trapped, raising questions about the country’s ability to protect its citizens from such disasters.

A 2018 notice from the local civic body declared the building structurally unsafe, but it took four notices for residents to vacate their homes. This inaction is a symptom of a systemic failure that allows hazardous buildings to persist and claim lives.

Repair work was underway at the time of the collapse, indicating authorities were aware of the building’s precarious state but failed to take adequate measures. This raises serious concerns about the competence and accountability of those responsible for maintaining public safety in urban India.

The Bhiwandi incident is part of a larger pattern of infrastructure failures. In 2020, a flyover in Kolkata collapsed, killing several people. Last year, a bridge in Gujarat gave way under heavy traffic. These incidents are not isolated but rather symptoms of a broader malaise that requires urgent attention.

There is a fundamental tension between development and safety in India’s cities. As Mumbai grows rapidly, the pressure to deliver infrastructure projects often takes precedence over ensuring their structural integrity. This can lead to substandard construction that puts lives at risk.

In Bhiwandi, residents continued to occupy a building deemed hazardous despite local authorities’ warnings. This raises important questions about the role of civic bodies in enforcing safety regulations and holding errant builders accountable for their actions.

The rescue efforts underway are crucial, but they should not distract from the deeper issues. As India becomes one of the world’s leading economies, its cities must also become safer and more resilient places to live. This requires a fundamental shift in approach – prioritizing long-term sustainability over short-term gains.

The Bhiwandi building collapse serves as a stark reminder of what happens when infrastructure is neglected and citizens are not protected. It is time for India’s leaders to take concrete action, rather than just paying lip service to the importance of public safety.