A section of a verandah roof outside three shops in the historic Nehru Bazaar within Jaipur's Walled City collapsed on Saturday night, prompting immediate safety measures and highlighting concerns over infrastructure in the old city area.
Immediate Response and Safety Measures
In response to the incident, the Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) barricaded the affected area on Sunday as a precautionary step. The civic body cleared the fallen debris from the site on Monday. JMC Vigilance Deputy Commissioner-II, Pushpendra Singh Rathore, explained the scope of the required repairs, indicating a significant timeline for restoration.
"This work may take about one month because, along with the verandah roof, the pillars and the floor will also need to be reconstructed," Rathore stated. He added that the corporation has provided a temporary solution for the time being while the major reconstruction is planned.
Impact on Local Shopkeepers
The falling debris caused substantial damage to the three shops located beneath the structure. Shop shutters were broken and electric wires snapped, disrupting business operations. The shopkeepers were forced to arrange and fund the immediate repairs to their properties on their own to resume commercial activities.
Atul Ahuja, president of the Nehru Bazaar Vyapar Mandal, provided further details on the aftermath. "After the accident, the corporation removed all the fallen debris today. The losses suffered by the shopkeepers were repaired by them at their own cost," Ahuja said.
Broader Concerns and Tourist Season
Ahuja also raised an alarm about potential risks to adjacent properties. He pointed out that after the primary collapse, the roofs of 3 to 4 shops ahead also became loose, and stressed the urgency of repairing these to prevent another accident.
Despite the damage and ongoing safety concerns, business owners have prioritized staying open. "Keeping the tourist season in mind, everyone has reopened their shops," Ahuja noted, underscoring the economic importance of the ongoing peak period for tourism in the Pink City. The incident underscores the challenge of maintaining aging infrastructure in heritage market areas while ensuring public safety and supporting local commerce.
