Remove flower pots from balcony edges, NCR residents told

Days after the news of a Pune child losing life to a flower pot fall from balcony went viral, Gurugram societies have issued “strong advisory” against keeping the same on balconies. Issuing the advisory, the United Association of New Gurugram (UANG) has urged local high-rise residents to ensure strict compliance with the norm.

“This is to inform you all about a tragic incident that recently occurred in Pune (Maharashtra), where a child lost his life after a flower pot fell on him from a balcony. Considering this unfortunate event, it is strongly requested that, with immediate effect, all residents kindly remove any flower pots placed on balcony edges or hanging outside the balcony,” read the advisory.

“This is crucial to prevent any accidents and ensure the safety of everyone, especially children. You may continue to keep flower pots safely inside the balcony, ensuring they are placed in a manner that does not pose any risk to others. Your cooperation in maintaining a safe living environment is highly appreciated,” it further read.

Resident welfare associations (RWAs) have also asked the residents to ensure that children play in designated lay areas and not below balconies and all.

“It’s not just flower pots. Gurugram is a city of falling plasters and even balconies. Many societies still have appending structural audit and have been identified unsafe by the authorities. We have asked the high-rise residents to abstain from keeping things like flower pots, pickle jars, etc. on the balcony. We have also urged them to ensure that children play in open areas and not under balconies, especially in societies identified that have been unsafe,” said president of UANG Praveen Malik.

Not just in Gurugram, similar advisory has also been issued in Faridabad. The advisory, issued by Additional District Magistrate (City) of Ghaziabad instructed societies to remove potted plants placed in iron frames outside balconies.

The move comes after a viral video of the April 11 incident in Pune showed a flower pot falling from a balcony and injuring a child playing on the ground floor. The footage shows children playing in the society premises when the pot strikes one of them, who collapses on the spot.