Total lack of accountability from civic agencies

Bengaluru

Bengaluru has witnessed two tragic wall collapses within less than a month, claiming innocent lives and raising serious concerns over civic negligence and accountability. The victims were ordinary citizens who trusted the authorities and civic agencies responsible for ensuring public safety, yet both incidents point to glaring lapses in monitoring, planning, and maintenance.

April 29 marked a dark day for Bengaluru, when a compound wall at the Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital in Shivajinagar collapsed following heavy rainfall, killing seven people. Now, in yet another tragedy, a 17-year-old labourer from Raichur lost his life while another worker sustained injuries after an under-construction apartment compound wall collapsed on them in Banaswadi on Monday.

The latest incident has intensified concerns over safety standards at construction sites and the monitoring mechanisms followed by civic agencies. “This points to only one malaise- the inefficiency of the GBA urban planning wing that sanctions building plans. Whenever such deaths or injuries occur, investigating authorities should examine who approved and signed the plan sanctions, to instil accountability in a system that is easily compromised by bribery”, said writer and policy analyst Anil Budur Lulla.

Both incidents have once again exposed the alleged negligence of the GBA and housing authorities in approving plans without proper inspections or technical scrutiny. They have also highlighted the failure of civic bodies to regularly inspect ageing and heritage structures across the city. Although the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) had stated that precautionary measures were being undertaken to identify and address unsafe structures before the on set of monsoon, another fatal collapse has occurred within weeks.

“This reflects a total lack of accountability from civic agencies. Authorities must ensure regular monitoring and maintenance of public as sets instead of resorting to reactive measures during monsoons. An immediate audit of all heritage and vulnerable buildings is necessary to ensure public safety”, said urban strategist Vinod Jacob. The latest incident has intensified concerns over safety standards. Urban experts say the GBA and all civic agencies must work in coordination, take responsibility, and fulfil their duties effectively to prevent such avoidable tragedies in the future.