Staircase Collapse Triggers Panic in Ghaziabad’s Posh Vasundhara Society, Families Rescued with Fire Dept’s Help
Ghaziabad: A major safety lapse in a high-rise residential society in Ghaziabad’s Vasundhara locality nearly turned into a tragedy when a connecting staircase in the Green View Apartments collapsed suddenly, leaving eight families stranded on the upper floors. The incident occurred in Block H of Green View Apartments, Sector-17 Vasundhara, sending shockwaves across the neighborhood.
According to initial reports, a corridor-bridge connecting the third floor (Flat H-110) to the staircase gave way unexpectedly. Residents Sanjeev Sharma (54) and his son Sahil Sharma (24), along with their pet dog, were among those trapped with no safe escape route available.
“It sounded like an earthquake…”
Eyewitnesses say the collapse was sudden and terrifying. “It sounded like an earthquake. We rushed out to find the entire staircase section lying in rubble. There was no way to reach the families trapped on the third and fourth floors,” said one resident from the first floor.
The panic was palpable as calls for help flooded emergency services. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the structural collapse left women, children, and elderly people stuck in their flats for hours.
Fire Department’s Swift, Daring Rescue
A Ghaziabad Fire Unit rushed to the scene and executed a high-risk rescue operation using ladders and harnesses. Despite hanging metal rods and broken concrete, the team carefully navigated the wreckage to reach the stranded residents.
In a particularly risky effort, Sanjeev Sharma and his son Sahil were brought out safely along with their dog, a moment that drew loud applause from worried neighbors watching below. The operation was led with calm precision, drawing praise for the fire department’s courage and efficiency.
“This wasn’t just a structural failure, it was a failure of civic accountability. The metal rods dangling, the compromised structure, everything was a disaster waiting to happen,” said a member of the rescue team on condition of anonymity.
A Larger Civic Crisis: Who Is Responsible?
While the immediate crisis was averted, the incident exposes glaring gaps in structural maintenance and urban safety protocols. Residents of Green View Apartments have long raised concerns about the aging infrastructure and poor upkeep by the apartment management or builder.
“There have been visible cracks for months. Complaints were ignored, patchwork was done, and now this, are we waiting for a fatality before action is taken?” asked a furious resident.
Urban development experts point out that illegal alterations, use of substandard material, and lack of periodic inspections in such high-rise societies have become alarmingly common across Delhi-NCR.
Call for Structural Audit and Accountability
Following the incident, civic activists and resident welfare associations across Vasundhara have demanded a comprehensive structural audit of all older high-rises in the region.
“This is not just about one society. Hundreds of families across Ghaziabad are living in fear due to poorly maintained buildings,” said urban planner Shikha Mittal. “The local development authority, builders, and management bodies must be held accountable.”
While authorities have promised an inquiry, there is growing pressure from citizens to impose penalties and establish clear emergency protocols for structural incidents in residential complexes.
A Narrow Escape, But a Loud Warning
As rescue operations conclude and dust settles at Green View Apartments, the broader question remains, How many more such collapses are lurking in Ghaziabad’s skyline?
Until systemic reforms, timely inspections, and responsible civic governance become the norm, residents in high-rise societies across NCR will continue to live under the shadow of potential disaster.
