How many building collapses and human deaths does it take for the BMC to open its eyes, roll up its sleeves and get to work on evacuating people from dilapidated buildings? Here are some plain facts — in the last five years, Mumbai has seen 21 building collapses, killing 262 and injuring 234 more. In 2013 alone, 174 people have died.

Building collapses not only bring down constructions, they take with them lives and livelihood. It is therefore the city administration’s most urgent need to revisit the list of dilapidated buildings and ensure that there is a rehabilitation plan in place. The current scheme of housing people whose buildings have collapsed in alternative accommodation is not only flawed, it is an affront to human dignity.