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“Accidents are not fate—they are the price of a conscience too willing to bend.”
Unchecked flexibility, however, erodes accountability. Accidents—whether physical, moral, or social—are often the natural outcome of this erosion. While it may fill the coffers of some, most accidents create irreparable damage to both public and private resources.
Infrastructure in all forms is growing at a rapid pace, be it public transportation systems, places of mass public gathering, recreation /stadiums, high-rise residential buildings, and malls. The list of new facilities for public use is unending. The footfalls are increasing exponentially and are a risk to the users.. Most consumers are unaware of the impending threats and compromises made to safety.
The relevant authorities have laid down safety standards for all public places. Is that good enough? “The standards need to be reviewed periodically. The accountability of outdated standards has to be fixed. Deviation compromises must be reported. There is more to theory and rhetoric.
There are hindrances to reporting deviations, the main reasons being the influence and power of the vested interests. Should the public authorities, such as the local police or local administration, or the media, share the blame for overlooking the threats to safety? Shouldn’t the media observe the infringement, thus creating a public opinion? In turn, report to the relevant authority? There is also a role for civil society in assisting the administration.
I do realize that local influences tend to make reporting difficult; to solve this problem reporting should be online, to an authority with quasi-legal authority. The crux of the problem is timely follow-up and removing the safety hazard.
The existing system implementation needs to rethink all aspects. That is to say more mildly.
These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint.