On Friday morning, a house in Ullal city municipality limits, previously flagged as at risk of collapse, finally gave way, injuring a father and his daughter near Melangadi Mosque. The collapse occurred despite urgent appeals for action from local councillors.
The house, owned by Khateeja and occupied by her financially struggling family, had been reported as dilapidated. This incident follows a previous tragedy in Madani Nagar, where a wall collapse resulted in four fatalities. In light of that disaster, Ullal city municipality was urged to address the safety concerns and arrange alternative housing for residents living in precarious conditions.
Khamarunnisa Nizam, the councillor for Ward 11, had formally requested repairs or alternative housing for the affected families on July 16. Unfortunately, the city municipality’s lack of response and action led to this latest incident. The collapsed house trapped and injured Abbas and his daughter, highlighting the dire consequences of the municipality’s inaction.
The incident has sparked outrage among residents and local leaders, underscoring the urgent need for proactive measures in addressing housing safety and ensuring that vulnerable families are not left in precarious situations. The delay in addressing these issues has led to preventable injuries and highlights the critical need for timely intervention by municipal authorities.