The High Price of a Good View
From Himalayan ropeways to coastal promenades, India is blessed with countless spots of natural beauty. In an age of social media, the demand for picturesque, 'Instagrammable' locations has skyrocketed. Tourism boards and private operators are eager to capitalise
on this, developing viewpoints, bridges, and adventure activities at a rapid pace. While this boom boosts local economies, it often fosters a culture where the visual appeal of a destination is prioritised over the structural integrity and safety protocols necessary to protect visitors. The thrill of a cliff-edge selfie spot or a glass-bottomed bridge is a powerful lure, but it becomes a deadly trap when the foundational safety work is incomplete, ignored, or poorly maintained.
A Pattern of Preventable Tragedies
The headlines serve as a grim, recurring reminder of this skewed prioritisation. In June 2025, an iron bridge collapsed at a popular tourist spot in Maharashtra's Pune district, killing several people and injuring dozens more. Reports indicated the structural failure was due to rust and overcrowding on a bridge frequented by picnickers. This was not an isolated incident. It echoes the horrific 2022 collapse of a century-old suspension bridge in Morbi, Gujarat, which claimed over 130 lives. These are not just accidents; they are systemic failures. The pattern extends beyond bridges. In May 2026, over 300 tourists were trapped mid-air for hours on the Gulmarg Gondola due to a technical snag, highlighting concerns about outdated infrastructure and weak inspections. Similarly, the booming adventure tourism sector has been plagued by incidents, from paragliding crashes to rafting deaths, often linked to untrained operators and a lack of binding national safety laws.
Selfies, Risks, and Responsibility
The pursuit of the perfect photo has added another dangerous dimension. India has the unfortunate distinction of recording the highest number of selfie-related deaths globally. Tragic incidents have seen people falling from forts, being swept away by tides, or getting hit by trains while trying to capture a dramatic shot. In response, authorities have begun identifying and barricading 'selfie danger zones'. While individual responsibility is crucial, the onus cannot be solely on tourists. When authorities and operators create and promote high-risk viewpoints without adequate safeguards like railings, warning signs, or crowd control, they are creating the conditions for disaster. The allure of a thrilling photo can be strong, and infrastructure must be designed with the explicit assumption that people might take risks, and protect them from the worst consequences.
Regulation Without Enforcement Is Hollow
On paper, guidelines exist. The Ministry of Tourism has circulated model safety guidelines for adventure tourism and advised states to deploy tourist police. However, critics argue these measures are often advisory rather than legally binding, allowing operators to cut corners without fear of serious repercussions. The cycle of tragedy followed by inquiry has become depressingly familiar: a disaster occurs, a probe is ordered, compensation is announced, and promises of stricter action are made. Yet, fundamental change remains elusive. Experts point to a chasm between infrastructure growth and safety engineering. As one Union Minister noted, many road accidents are due to defective engineering and faulty project reports, with little to no accountability for those who design them. This culture of negligence is not confined to roads; it permeates the wider tourism ecosystem.
