Construction nightmare

Some questions need to be answered. How could the upward construction without due clearance from the authorities be overlooked? Why was not the injudicious act stopped? These are not merely academic questions because such constructions have been carried out and are still going on in many places in the city.

The suspicion that the 'indifference' was bought off is unassailable. The works minister has said that Rajuk doesn't have enough manpower to oversee all such activities. The contention that some local authority could have pointed out what was going on in the name of construction amounts to passing the buck on to others. The truth of the matter is that nobody takes note of a looming danger until something awful happens.

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It has been reported that a crack in the building had been detected a few hours before it caved in. But the factory management paid no heed to it and decided to continue with work. There was no emergency exit in place, though the building supervisors must have been aware of its vulnerability. The management had failed to demonstrate the slightest regard for the workers' lives. The way the building collapsed suggests that it had a very weak foundation. In fact, constructing such a tall building on a swampy land bordered on insanity.

The victims' families must receive adequate compensation. Finally, the reports of investigation have to be made public at the earliest. People have the right to know how such criminal neglect to human lives is being dealt with.