What would it take to make India’s cities better – and safer?

A building collapse in Delhi has reignited discussions about urban planning and safety as cities grapple with rapid population growth. Meanwhile, a viral story highlights the bravery of an Ahmedabad newspaper delivery driver who intervened to prevent a construction accident, saving a woman from falling debris. The incident underscores the risks faced by pedestrians near active worksites. Readers can explore both the broader challenges of urban development and the personal account of quick thinking in the face of danger.

After a five-storey building collapsed in Delhi, focus is on how urban areas can adapt to growing populations. Plus, Ahmedabad’s ace newspaper delivery driver goes viralRecently, I may have saved a woman’s life on the road. Somehow, this was something I had expected to happen.On that day, I saw a truck leave a construction site with a tangled wire trailing behind. I frantically looked to see what the wire was attached to and spotted the scaffolding a few meters ahead. I shrieked and grabbed the hand of the woman walking in front of me just as the metal pipes came crashing down. We hugged for a brief second, and then walked our separate ways. Continue reading...