West Bengal: Mud Wall Collapse Claims Three Lives, Including Two Children

Quick Summary:

• A mud house wall collapsed in West Bengal’s Mandir Bazar area, South 24 Parganas district, killing three family members: Brihaspati Karmakar and her two minor daughters, Sheela (15) and Priya (10).
• The incident occurred on Thursday night (September 4, 2025), likely triggered by heavy rainfall in the sundarbans delta region; the bodies were discovered by locals on friday morning.
• The family was reportedly constructing a concrete home under “Banglar Bari,” a government housing scheme launched by the West Bengal Government.
• Funds from India’s Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY-U) housing scheme have been suspended since 2021 in West Bengal due to alleged irregularities and corruption disputes; the state denies these claims.
• Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently stated that ₹24,000 crore for PMAY-U remains pending from the Central Government.in response, she initiated “Banglar Bari” in December 2024 to provide affordable housing independently for rural poor.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The tragic accident underscores critical challenges facing India’s economically weaker sections regarding access to secure housing infrastructure-especially during extreme weather events like inundating rains. With funds under PMAY-U withheld as 2021 due to corruption allegations, vulnerable families are left dependent on regional schemes such as Banglar Bari. While this program appears promising with stated benefits of up to ₹1.30 lakh per household, its capacity alone may not sufficiently address broader systemic needs across affected areas.

This incident also highlights potential risks of continued political tensions between state and central governments over welfare fund disbursement. Such disagreements can hinder timely delivery of lifesaving resources for residents exposed to hazardous living conditions amidst escalating climate challenges. A collaborative approach between all stakeholders could pave pathways toward achieving sustainable progress while prioritizing public safety.

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