Click to play videoMumbai: The terrible accident on Monday in Mumbai that killed five children has not deterred parents in the city from using private vehicles to ferry their children about.
Children all over the city are still travelling in private vehicles and over-crowded auto rickshaws without any form of supervision.
Some parents seem to be either fatalistic, or indifferent.
“Yes, they go in an auto. What can we do? There is risk in everything in life,” said Bhavini, the mother of an eight-year-old.
While parents show shocking nonchalance, the traffic authorities claim that they do their bit in spreading awareness.
“We began a drive at the beginning of the session, and some good and safe habits are inculcated in the minds of the parents,” said Traffic Police Commissioner, Harish Baijal
There are some parents, however, whose worst fears were confirmed by Monday’s accident.
“I was always very apprehensive about taking a private vehicle,” says a parent. “Now I will definitely not do it.”
Some parents, however, are fine with having private transportation for their children with the proviso that caution is exercised.
“I have been using it for 5 years and never had a problem,” said a parent.
“But you have to take care of the vehicle, from who is the owner of the vehicle and who is running the services. You have to ensure all the credibility and then take the decision,” she explained.
Till such a time that all parents wake up to the need to do that, the safety of school-going children will continue to be at risk.
On Monday, a Maruti van illegally fitted with an LPG cylinder went up in flames killing five children. None of them was older than nine years with the youngest being just six years of age.
The van caught fire due to gas leakage. Three of the children were killed instantly, and eight others were hospitalised. Two succumbed to their injuries later.
With inputs by Karn Kowshik
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