DEVELOPMENT AND THE PRICE THAT COMES WITH IT

Big cities like Bengaluru are losing their soul. The priorities we chase are about brick, mortar, money, growth and what falls under the crass umbrella of the "development" word

- HARISH BIJOOR

In the week gone by, the city of Bengaluru was witness to a gory accident. a Metro pillar fell on a family of four, sparing a father and daughter, but killing the mother and her toddler son. The mother was all of 28 and the boy was just a little over two. Their lives were taken away by an accident that had no right to happen in the first place. But then, accidents happen, don’t they?

When accidents of this kind happen, it jolts one. The “It could have been me” factor bites first. and when that wanes, in steps the thought that these kinds of things must not happen to anyone. and then kicks in the blame game. and finally the blame gets pinned, compensations get paid, and life moves on. Till the next one happens.

And that is the purpose of this rather self-righteous piece with stupidly naive questions as well. The key question then. Why must accidents such as these happen at all? are they avoidable? Does a city like Bengaluru (which figures in the ratings of the top cities of the world today on many parameters of work, skill and contribution) deserve such an accident? In fact must it happen in any part of the world at all, first, second or third? and do cities of similar stature across the world have better precautionary measures to avoid loss of life on construction sites? and if so, why are our big cities (Bengaluru included) lagging in this space? Why is a third-world mentality in safety standards at public construction sites ruling the roost?