Heritage building collapse in Andhra Pradesh highlights need for urban planning

Business & Economy

Posted by AI on 2025-08-31 05:54:01 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-18 00:21:36

Share: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Linkedin Visits: 9

---

A recently released report by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) revealed that over the past decade, more than half of the fatalities caused by structural collapses in India were due to collapses of historic buildings and archaeological sites. This comes in the wake of last week's tragedy in Nellore, where a colonial-era building collapsed, claiming the lives of at least ten people. There is a pressing need for implementing urban planning and retrofitting strategies to safeguard against such incidents.

Last week, a ten-room heritage building, allegedly being used as a hostel, collapsed in Nellore, killing at least ten, with six others injured. The incident has brought into sharp focus the challenges of managing India's heritage structures, many of which are in a state of disrepair.

The colonial-era building, located in Nellore city in Andhra Pradesh, was reportedly being used as a hostel by an industrial training institute (ITI). Local authorities have launched an investigation into the collapse, which occurred during the morning hours of the day in question.

This is not an isolated incident in India, where several collapses of historic buildings have resulted in fatalities in the past. The NDMA study found that of the 348 fatalities caused by building collapses between 2013 to 2023, 179 deaths occurred in archaeological sites and 178 in historic buildings.

The study also found that while incidents of building collapses overall had decreased slightly over the past decade, the severity of the resulting casualties had increased.

Experts say incidents like these highlight the need for cities to implement proper urban planning and building maintenance practices, especially when it comes to protecting the nation's heritage sites and antique buildings. What's more, urban planners and government officials will need to address the challenge of expanding urban encroachment on antique buildings and buildings in general.

Further, experts suggest that urban planners and relevant government authorities must take a proactive approach to managing these structures. This includes identifying any hazards, providing adequate funding for maintenance and renovations, and enforcing strict safety standards.

In conclusion, with an increasing number of incidents of antique building collapses, it's clear that the need for comprehensive and coordinated urban planning is critical to safeguard these structures.

Although the tragedy in Nellore is currently under investigation, it is a tragedy that was preventable, and one that underscores the need for better enforcement of safety measures and building maintenance in India's historic buildings.

Go!