Speak up Delhi: Toddler's death brings safety issue in high rises into focus

A four-year-old girl Myra fell from the balcony of her 10th floor residence in a high rise building in Jaipuria Sunrise Greens last week.

With no safety grills in the balcony, the girl became the victim. Residents of high rise buildings in Indirapuram area of Ghaziabad have requested the residential welfare associations to cover the balconies of the buildings.

"The tragic incident has once again raised questions over the safety of the residents in such buildings. Several residents have reached out to the society's maintenance office with a recommendation to cover all balconies of higher floors. They are ready to pay their share of expenses if the RWA is willing to take up the issue. There have been many such incidents in the past, where residents, children or maids have fallen off balconies. We have formed a committee and a decision on this will be taken pretty soon," said Ravindra Saini, member of the Federation of Association of Apartment Owners (AOA).

Residents feel that it is the responsibility of the builders to ensure that the houses follow the safety norms. In Myra's case, she was alone in the flat when the incident happened. Her father was in office, her mother was out for house errands and her older sister had left for her tuition classes.

"We give the money to these builders and they have to ensure that the flat they handover is fully safe. Once the building work is complete, it is the duty of these builders to work for the safety of the residents," said Mukul Verma, another resident.

"The children usually have the curiosity to look for what is happening in the society and mostly they are watched by their parents. If you see this case, the balcony from where the girl peeped downstairs was covered till 4.5 ft. 
So she was unable to peep down and it was then she became curious. So, she brought a chair from the room and climbed on it during which she slipped and fell downstairs," said Smita Pandey, a psychologist.

ANXIOUS RESIDENTS

• Residents of high rise buildings in Indirapuram area of Ghaziabad have requested residential welfare associations to cover the balconies of buildings. In Myra’s case, she was alone at home when the incident took place

VOICES

Sometimes, we have to leave our children unattended — whether it is to go to the market or to our jobs. The situation is especially bad when both parents are working so, I make sure that I leave my kids under someone’s presence. There should better surveillance system in the society so that we can keep an eye on our kids
—Esha Ghosh

We have this practice in our society that we leave our kids with security guards as this has been patterned by the association. Kids can do anything if left alone at home. It is sometimes the duty of the parents also to keep a vigil. But whatever said and done, the safety meaures are the most important thing that one should take
—Manju Singh

Cases like these are increasing day by day and are taking lives of many innocent children. This has to stop and only parent’s awareness could stop it. On the other hand, there are many norms for the safety of the people and especially children that should be followed by builders rather than thinking about how to fill up their pockets
— Madhu Dimri

We have to keep a watch on our kids every time they go out as a lot of construction material is kept uncovered. Despite having made complaints to the builder to cover it there had been no response. The builders do not understand the situation of the parents who are always concerned about their kids
—Dr SP Singh

An incident had happened in our society also, but now mostly all the balconies of our society are covered. We make sure that construction material are covered and no unwanted mishap takes place
—SP Goel

For a child it’s a normal action to look down from higher places because of so many reasons. It could be curiosity to see something, to know someone, etc. But in this incident, the child was alone at her home in the evening, no one was there to look after her. She must be hungry (Physical Demand), cranky, searching for her mother for love and pampering (Emotional Demand). Loneliness is a new epidemic in children’s life. A kid needs constant care and watch for her physical and psychological needs and security. Parents should set their routine according to their little ones schedule
—Smita Pandey

EXPERT SPEAK

While passing the map of giving occupancy certificate to the builders, we have to look at basic amenities such as lifts, common areas, drainage outlets, parking facility, playground park etc. There are no such rules for the builders as to how do they design the balcony. Once the flats are ready, if the residents want them to get modified, they can consult the builder. The builder, if required, may try to add the facility. It is wrong to completely blame the builder for such incidents. While purchasing the flat, the family should consider these safety issues. If they feel the safety amenities are not there, then they can avoid selecting such flats.
A senior official from Ghaziabad Development Authority