Falling Walls: The Alarming Rise of Building Collapses in India
Danger Lurking in the Shadows
In September 2020, the Bhiwandi Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra issued a warning about the Kohinoor building, listing it as a structure at risk of collapse. Just a few kilometers away, the Jilani building crumbled, claiming the lives of 41 people. Six years have passed since then, and the Kohinoor building has met a similar fate, killing 10 people. The eerie similarity between the two incidents raises questions about the efficacy of India’s system of monitoring and managing its aging infrastructure.
The Failure of Anticipation and Enforcement
While the Jilani building’s collapse was a failure of anticipation, the Kohinoor building’s demise was a failure of enforcement. The owners of the Kohinoor building had refused to vacate or redevelop the property, instead opting for unauthorized repairs. Despite being on the ‘danger’ list, the building continued to stand, awaiting its inevitable collapse. The State’s response to both incidents was eerily similar – suspending officials and filing a criminal case against the contractor. However, the lack of effective enforcement and the inability to prevent the collapse of these structures raises serious concerns about the State’s ability to protect its citizens.
The Plight of Bhiwandi’s Low-Income Population
Bhiwandi, one of India’s largest powerloom hubs, is home to a large low-income migrant population. Many of these residents live in small houses in densely packed neighborhoods, with hundreds of buildings on the ‘danger’ list. The lack of transit camps or temporary housing forces residents to choose between living in unsafe homes or facing homelessness. Meanwhile, owners continue to collect rent, while the corporation claims that legal liability has been discharged on paper. The enforcement of evacuation orders is also often hampered by the lack of police support, making it difficult to prevent tragedies like the Kohinoor building collapse.
A Nation in Denial
India’s infrastructure is treated as an asset with a one-time investment, with little attention paid to maintenance and administrative oversight. The post-2000s construction boom has outpaced maintenance work, leaving many structures vulnerable to collapse. The recent spate of building collapses across the country, including at airports and bridges, is a stark reminder of the need for urgent action. Despite the availability of technologies to continuously monitor structures and issue early warnings, urbanization has outrun municipal capacity, leaving many buildings at risk of collapse.
The Rise of a Silent Epidemic
The frequency of building collapses in India has increased in recent years, with many incidents involving known hazards. While greater media coverage and the sheer volume of infrastructure may contribute to the apparent rise in frequency, it is clear that India’s buildings need widespread rehabilitation work. Rather than simply responding to each incident with legal and disciplinary action, the State needs to take a proactive approach to urban renewal. This requires a comprehensive overhaul of the system, including improved maintenance, enhanced administrative oversight, and the deployment of technologies to monitor and prevent building collapses.
A Call to Action
The collapse of the Kohinoor building and the Jilani building before it is a stark reminder of the need for urgent action. India’s buildings are in dire need of rehabilitation work, and nothing short of an urban renewal would do. The State must take a proactive approach to addressing the issue, rather than simply responding to each incident. This requires a comprehensive overhaul of the system, including improved maintenance, enhanced administrative oversight, and the deployment of technologies to monitor and prevent building collapses. The lives of millions of Indians depend on it.