In a striking reminder of Mumbai’s ageing infrastructure, the Husainibai Building, located in Bhendi Bazaar, partially collapsed during the early hours of Friday, raising serious concerns about the city’s ongoing infrastructure challenges. The incident occurred at around 12:06 am when the ground-plus-four-storey structure crumbled within minutes, resembling the collapse of a “pack of cards.” By 5:46 am, authorities confirmed the extent of the damage. Despite the alarming nature of the incident, no casualties were reported, as the building had been vacated earlier.
This collapse underscores the vulnerability of Mumbai’s older, often neglected buildings, particularly in densely populated areas like Bhendi Bazaar. While the fire brigade responded promptly with five vehicles, conducting a thorough search-and-rescue operation, the event has drawn attention to the systemic failure in ensuring the safety and integrity of ageing infrastructure. Bhendi Bazaar, already home to numerous dilapidated structures, now faces the grim reality that such incidents could become a recurring issue unless urgent measures are implemented. A particularly troubling aspect of this collapse is its timing, coming on the heels of the massive fire at Ansari Heights in Dongri just weeks earlier. The fire, which broke out on November 27, rapidly escalated to a Level 3 blaze, further highlighting the risks posed by poorly maintained, overburdened buildings. The similarities between these two incidents point to the pressing need for comprehensive infrastructure reforms in the city.
The collapse of the Husainibai Building, while fortunate to have spared lives, reveals the deep-rooted flaws in Mumbai’s approach to infrastructure maintenance. As the city grapples with rapid urbanisation, it becomes increasingly evident that reactive measures are no longer sufficient. Authorities must shift towards a proactive approach to building safety, ensuring regular maintenance, timely inspections, and rigorous enforcement of building codes. This is crucial not only to safeguard lives but also to protect Mumbai’s ageing infrastructure from further degradation. As the investigation into the cause of the collapse continues, one thing is clear Mumbai’s ageing infrastructure is in dire need of an overhaul. The lack of preventive measures and the sporadic maintenance of older buildings now threaten to compound the city’s infrastructure woes, leaving its residents vulnerable to future accidents. It is imperative that authorities act with urgency, addressing these systemic issues to prevent further loss of life and infrastructure.
