Kolkata: The City of Joy witnessed yet another heart-wrenching disaster on Tuesday as a four-storey apartment building in the densely populated Baghajatin area collapsed, leaving residents in shock and raising critical questions about the city’s growing construction woes. This incident, following the recent Garden Reach calamity, underscores an alarming trend of unsafe and illegal building practices in the metropolis.
Eyewitnesses reported a thunderous crash as the structure toppled over, crushing a neighboring house and sending panic through the locality. The building, which had stood for 11 years, was allegedly constructed on a reclaimed wetland—a violation of environmental and urban safety norms. Moreover, while the original construction permit allowed for only three floors, a fourth floor was added illegally, significantly compromising the building’s stability.
The collapse occurred during a bout of heavy rain, further highlighting the vulnerability of poorly constructed structures in Kolkata’s monsoon season. Locals claim that visible cracks had begun appearing on the building in recent months, but no action was taken despite repeated complaints to authorities.
The Baghajatin incident has reignited debates about the growing prevalence of unauthorized construction and the lack of stringent enforcement of building codes. Experts blame the dual threats of corruption and negligence, which allow unsafe structures to sprout across the city, often with devastating consequences.
“Illegal construction has turned Kolkata into a ticking time bomb,” said an urban planner. “Filling wetlands, ignoring safety guidelines, and bypassing regulations for profit have endangered countless lives.”
As rescue teams worked tirelessly to clear debris and search for survivors, residents gathered on the streets, demanding accountability from municipal authorities and stricter checks on construction practices.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has launched an investigation into the collapse and promised stern action against those found guilty of flouting regulations. However, for many, these assurances ring hollow in a city where similar tragedies have become disturbingly frequent.
With two major building collapses in such close succession, the need for an overhaul of the city’s urban planning and regulatory systems has never been more urgent. Until then, the shadow of unsafe constructions looms large over Kolkata, putting its residents at perpetual risk.
Public Safety Concerns
This disaster serves as a stark reminder for citizens to remain vigilant about illegal constructions in their neighborhoods. As the city expands, unchecked urbanization and disregard for safety measures could transform Kolkata from the City of Joy into a city of peril.
