In a dramatic event near New Delhi, two illegally constructed skyscrapers were demolished in a controlled explosion on Sunday, August 28. The towers, standing 103 meters tall, were the tallest structures ever to be razed in India. The demolition, which took less than 10 seconds, was the result of a Supreme Court order after a legal battle revealed multiple violations of building and fire safety regulations.

The controlled demolition used over 3,700 kilograms of explosives, strategically placed to minimize damage to the surrounding area. Residents in nearby buildings, who had evacuated their homes, watched the towers crumble amid loud cheers and applause. The dust from the collapse quickly enveloped the residential neighborhood, and firefighters were on-site to control dust levels with water sprinklers.

Though demolitions of this scale are rare in India, the decision is being viewed as a strict stand against corruption and illegal construction. The blast left around 80,000 tonnes of rubble, much of which will be used to fill the site, while the rest will be recycled.

Local residents, including Sudeep Roy, took precautions to avoid health risks from the dust and pollution. Roy, whose son suffers from asthma, had booked a hotel room to ensure his family stayed away from the area for 24 hours.

This demolition is being hailed as a significant warning to developers across India, signaling a tougher stance on enforcing building regulations.