Hyderabad, August 24 (Maxim News): Hyderabad building safety has come under renewed scrutiny after an under construction seven storey building collapsed in Anjaiah Nagar, Gachibowli, killing two workers.
The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon during construction work. Rescue teams reached the site and searched the debris for possible survivors.
Police identified the deceased workers as Umesh Kare, 34, and Mopat, 42. Both workers belonged to Madhya Pradesh and worked as tile workers in Hyderabad.
The collapse also damaged several flats in a neighbouring apartment. Authorities evacuated people from a nearby hostel as a precaution. Officials also examined other structures in the area after the accident.
The incident has raised serious questions about Hyderabad building safety, construction permissions and enforcement. Officials are now examining whether the building followed the approved plan and structural requirements.
According to HYDRAA Commissioner A V Ranganath, officials found violations at several stages of the construction. He said the building stood on a very small plot and near a nala. He also said the surrounding area had several hostels.
Initial reports described the site as a 50 square yard plot. However, later information indicated that the actual plot could measure only about 38 square yards. Reports also alleged that around 10 square yards of nala land may have been used, taking the total construction area to about 48 square yards. Authorities must establish these details through their investigation.
Hyderabad Building Safety: Builder Arrested, Officer Suspended
The authorities have already initiated action following the collapse. Police arrested builder Sajid Khan in connection with the incident. Officials accused him of constructing the building against approved norms and failing to maintain required construction standards. The investigation will establish the exact violations and responsibility.
The Cyberabad Municipal Corporation also suspended Madhapur Town Planning Officer Santosh Kumar. The action followed allegations that officials failed to prevent the unauthorised construction. Authorities are examining the role of officials who dealt with the building and its permissions.
HYDRAA has also intensified its focus on unauthorised structures in Anjaiah Nagar. Commissioner Ranganath said officials would act against buildings constructed without required setbacks or through nala encroachments. He said the authorities would not spare those responsible for violations.
The latest incident has also raised concerns about other buildings in the locality. Officials reportedly found another damaged apartment that could pose a safety risk. Authorities evacuated its occupants and decided to remove the structure to prevent another accident.
The wider issue extends beyond one building. Hyderabad has seen rapid growth in residential and commercial construction. Therefore, authorities face the challenge of checking whether builders continue to follow approved plans after receiving permissions.
A building permission alone cannot guarantee structural safety. Builders must follow approved floor limits, setbacks, structural designs and other safety conditions throughout construction.
The incident also raises an important accountability question. Authorities need to establish who approved the construction, who inspected the site and whether officials received earlier complaints about violations.
The city has previously identified several unsafe buildings. A GHMC survey in 2025 reportedly identified 428 dilapidated structures. Officials classified 297 of them as dangerous. The remaining buildings required repairs or other safety measures.
The Gachibowli collapse therefore highlights the need for stronger monitoring of both new and old structures. Regular inspections can help identify unauthorised floors, unsafe foundations and encroachments before they cause loss of life.
Experts and officials have also discussed the need for better digital monitoring of buildings. Such a system could record approved floors, actual construction, structural certificates, fire clearances and occupancy details.
A risk based rating system could further help authorities identify buildings that require immediate attention. Structures near nalas, lakes and flood prone areas could receive additional scrutiny.
For Hyderabad, the key challenge now lies in enforcing existing rules. Rapid urban development can remain sustainable only when construction follows safety standards.
The Gachibowli tragedy has once again shown the human cost of weak enforcement. The ongoing investigation will determine the precise causes of the collapse and the responsibility of the builder and officials. (Maxim News)
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