A collapse foretold? Residents allege warnings ignored as tall buildings in narrow lanes keep rising

New Delhi: The building collapse has brought to the fore the systemic danger of unchecked and unauthorised construction of multi-storey structures in dense residential pockets of Delhi.A TOI spot check found several five-to-six-storey structures — crammed with creative co-working spaces, commercial studios and student rentals — standing cheek by jowl in the narrow lanes of Saidulajab, which appeared stretched beyond their capacity.Many locals alleged that despite periodic govt notices, corrupt officials ensured that illegal constructions continued unchecked. Apart from Metro rakes passing nearby causing periodic vibrations in the buildings, the lanes are too narrow for emergency vehicles. Thus, Saturday’s tragedy has underscored a long-ignored crisis in the area.Residents alleged that the building that collapsed had exceeded permissible construction limits and was under official scrutiny. According to many, a Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) notice had been pasted on the building around three months ago, directing the removal of certain “unauthorised” portions. While some sections were reportedly demolished thereafter, locals claimed that construction activity resumed soon and additional floors continued to be added.A probe is underway to verify these allegations.What stood out during the spot check was that the building did not appear to be an anomaly. Similar structures dot the neighbourhood, with locals repeatedly pointing to recently built or expanded buildings towering over the narrow lanes. In the event of a fire, the consequences could be far more catastrophic, they feared.In one of the narrow lanes in the middle of a densely packed locality, TOI spotted a six-storey building with fresh tiles, glass windows and spanking exteriors. It was advertised as a co-working space. Its upper floors are a hub of a range of commercial activities, including a painting studio, a podcast studio, a racing simulator, a reel-making studio and a café. A promotional board advertised hourly rentals for the co-working spaces.Thousands of students, many of whom pay between Rs 10,000 and Rs 12,000 a month in rent, live in similar multi storeyed buildings nearby.Long-time residents of Saidulajab said that its infrastructure is struggling to cope with the rapid growth. “There is hardly space for a car to pass through some of these lanes, yet construction has continued at a blistering pace,” said Ravi, a local. “This tragedy has raised questions that we have been asking for years.”At the entrance of the lane where the building collapsed, stands another four-storey grey structure that locals and students claimed have been constructed within the past six months.“Civic officials keep conducting inspections and putting up notices on many buildings,” said Jitender, a student who lives nearby. “But we have rarely seen one being demolished for flouting construction rules. After a brief lull, construction work quietly resumes.”