On Sunday morning, a collapse of parapets and dilapidated sections of shops in the Books Market, a bustling commercial area, narrowly avoided a disaster. The incident, which occurred around 6 am, could have led to severe casualties had it happened during the busy hours when many shoppers frequent the market. Jaspal Singh, president of the Books Market Shopkeepers’ Association, noted that the structures had been in poor condition for an extended period. This incident has reignited scrutiny of the municipal corporation, which has been criticized for its inaction regarding unsafe buildings identified in the area. Despite recognizing the risk, the authorities have primarily issued notices to property owners without taking effective preventive measures. Last year, the municipal corporation's town planning branch identified 159 unsafe buildings across four zones, with Zone D having the highest count of 55. However, no concrete actions have been taken to secure or demolish these structures, leaving residents concerned about their safety. Local traders have expressed frustration, suggesting that the authorities seem to be waiting for a tragedy to occur before taking action.