Beyond the Balcony |
The rapid urbanisation of India has ushered in a new era of residential living, marked by the proliferation of housing societies built by government agencies, private developers, and cooperative institutions. This shift from independent homes to multi-storey flats was driven by a combination of necessity and aspiration ~ security concerns, shrinking land availability, and the promise of modern amenities, enabling millions to access affordable housing in limited space. These housing societies do not just offer shelter; they foster relationships, encourage civic participation, and provide platforms for mutual adjustment.
Children grow up in shared courtyards, elders find companionship, and festivals are celebrated collectively. The Resident Welfare Association (RWA), in theory, becomes a micro-democracy ~ where decisions are made collaboratively, and civic life is nurtured. In a country as diverse as India, these societies have the potential to be crucibles of harmony and resilience. Yet beneath this promise lies a troubling reality. Cost-cutting measures, disregard for building laws, and overwhelming demand have contributed to unsafe practices, poor infrastructure, and substandard maintenance across countless residential societies.
Advertisement
The consequences are not merely inconvenient – they are dangerous, dehumanising, and emblematic of a deeper civic malaise. Many societies, particularly those built in earlier phases of urban expansion, lack even the most basic amenities. Lifts are absent in multi-storey buildings, staircases are narrow and slippery, and room sizes have shrunk to the point of congestion. Club houses and indoor recreational facilities are either non-existent or lie in disrepair. Fire safety systems are inadequate or entirely missing, and periodic checks of electrical wiring, grounding, and load distribution are rarely undertaken. The consequences of such negligence are not hypothetical.
Advertisement
In recent months alone, several major fire incidents have been reported across cities like Noida, Ghaziabad, and Mumbai ~ each one a grim reminder of the price of apathy. In September 2025, a fire at Sunworld Vanalika Society in Noida destroyed property worth lakhs, while in October, a blaze at Divya Apartments in Ghaziabad necessitated the evacuation of 20 families. These are not isolated events but part of a disturbing pattern that underscores systemic failure. According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau, over 7,400 people lost their lives in fire accidents in 2022,........