Delhi, Goa, Mumbai: the same fire, again

"What happened in #Delhi was tragic. So many innocent lives were lost."
"Sadly, this keeps happening every few years. The #government rarely takes any meaningful action."
"Are you talking about the #Goa Pub fire?"
"No, I was talking about the #Mumbai Pub fire."
"I don't even remember that one."

That conversation happened with a friend recently.
I don't blame him.
Most of us have short memories.

For the record, the Mumbai pub fire in December 2017 claimed 14 lives. At the time, it dominated headlines. There was outrage, political blame, promises of action, and demands for accountability.
Today, many people barely remember it.

A few years ago, an under-construction building near where I live collapsed.
Within hours, politicians, officials, and media crews arrived at the site. Looking at the scale of the tragedy, I genuinely thought this would finally trigger strict action against the rampant #illegal #construction in the area.
Nothing much changed.

While reading more about the Delhi fire, The Hindu's reporting caught my attention.
'The department issuing licences says enforcement is not their responsibility.
The civic body says checking compliance under the policy is not its responsibility.
Inspections were conducted and marked "closed" a day before the accident.'

Not sure who is supposed to do what!
Perhaps that is why these tragedies keep repeating.