ED: Will we ever prioritize safety?

Not even a week has passed since the last time this city suffered from a fire-related catastrophe. This time, seven people were injured while a gas pipe was being repaired in the Mirpur area of the capital. While it is fortunate that there have not been any fatal casualties this time, our bar should not be so low that we are OK with fires as long as damage is minimal.

It is simply unacceptable that disasters like this keep happening in the capital. Each time a fire breaks out, the authorities vow to solve the problem. But after a couple of days, it is all crickets. Promises of maintaining strict building and fire safety codes have been made time and time again, but there has been nothing in terms of execution when it comes to this decree. 

Surely, it does not take years and decades to do something as fundamental as this. Surely, authorities like Rajuk are competent enough to pull off something as basic as this. If not, maybe the whole organization needs thorough reform. Government branches exist to serve the people. And if they cannot do that, then it is only natural for their priorities to come into question.

It is high time that strict building codes and fire safety measures were maintained, and the departments in question were given an ultimatum. If that is not met, then the government can and should re-think their approach to solving this issue, and start from zero if necessary. 

We are proud of our infrastructural developments, but what does it all mean if people lack basic safety in these towering constructions?