Hyderabad Scaffolding Collapse Claims Lives of Two Migrant Workers
In a heartbreaking turn of events, a routine morning turned tragic for two migrant workers in Hyderabad. Tirupathi Rao, as was his daily custom, spoke to his daughters in their native village in Srikakulam district before heading to his construction job. He inquired about their school day and encouraged them to focus on their studies, a conversation he cherished and rarely missed. However, by afternoon, the bamboo scaffolding at an under-construction building in Tolichowki gave way, leading to a fatal accident that claimed the lives of Tirupathi Rao and his colleague, Adi Narayana.
Decade-Long Struggle Cut Short
For nearly ten years, Tirupathi Rao and Adi Narayana had been living in Hyderabad with their wives, working tirelessly as daily wage construction laborers. Both men hailed from Srikakulam district, specifically from the villages of Kothuru and Veerapadu. They were compelled to migrate to the city due to severe financial hardships following the deaths of elders in their families. Over the years, they painstakingly built a modest life centered around grueling workdays, meager earnings, and frequent phone calls to their children back home.
Families Left in Despair
Tirupathi Rao is survived by his wife, Rajani, and two daughters, Kavya (13) and Lasya (11), who continue their education in their native village. Adi Narayana leaves behind his wife, Anita, and two sons. The elder son, Abhi (18), is pursuing a degree in Srikakulam, while the younger, Nani (16), resides with his parents in Hyderabad as he prepares for his class 10 examinations. The families revealed that the men had last visited their villages a few months ago during a festival. Like countless migrant workers, they could only afford brief visits before returning to the city to resume their laborious work.
Community Shaken by Tragedy
The accident has deeply shaken the close-knit community of migrant workers from Srikakulam, many of whom have lived in the same Gudimalkapur neighborhood for several years. Among those affected is R Ramesh (29), another construction laborer from the same district who was injured in the collapse and remains in the ICU. His wife, Arosha, shared that many of them migrated together years ago and have since worked at various construction sites across Hyderabad.
"We all came here around the same time for work and have been living in the same area for years," Arosha told reporters. "My husband's condition is not good. He is in the ICU, and we are very worried." The couple has two young children, a 5-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl, who attend UKG and LKG at a private school near their home.
Another injured worker, M Ramesh (34), who hails from Odisha but has been part of the same labor community for years, expressed the collective trauma. "My condition is also not good. I am still undergoing treatment," he said. "We all know each other here and work together at construction sites."
Broader Impact on Livelihoods
The collapse also impacted Lal Ahmed (50), an auto driver who was injured when debris fell on his parked vehicle. His brother, Kasim, explained that the auto-rickshaw, which Ahmed had parked under the building while waiting for passengers, was completely damaged. "That auto is the only source of income for his family. It will cost at least Rs 25,000 to repair it," Kasim lamented. Ahmed, who supports four children aged between 8 and 13, had sought shade under the building when the debris struck.
For the migrant workers residing in Gudimalkapur, this accident has disrupted a fragile existence meticulously built over years. Their lives are a delicate balance where daily wages fund children's education, phone calls bridge the vast distance between parents and villages, and every day of work is crucial to keeping their families afloat. The tragedy underscores the vulnerabilities faced by migrant laborers in urban centers, where safety often takes a backseat to economic necessity.
