BENGALURU: It was meant to be a day of celebration for members of this small house in Kanakadasa Layout, Kammanahalli, near Banaswadi. Truck driver Shaktivelu and his homemaker-wife Sophia were planning a birthday party for their second son S Nikhil, who turned 11 on Tuesday.
Eight-year-old S Janani, the birthday boy’s sister, was keen on gifting her brother chocolates and after much effort, got her mother to give her some money. Around 9.30am, the girl rushed out, clutching a few Rs 10 notes in her hand, to a shop near her house on Oil Mill Road, Kanakadasa Layout. But tragedy struck midway as a water tractor hit Janani. She came under its rear wheels and died instantly.
“I was walking behind. It all happened in a split second. The big wheels of the tractor crushed her and she died instantly. We tried our best to revive her by giving water, but in vain,” said Ishrat Fatima, an eyewitness. Police arrested accused driver Pradeep Kumar, 35, of Banaswadi and seized the vehicle. He was booked under IPC 304A for causing death due to negligence.
Janani is survived by her parents and two elder brothers, S Dhanush and S Nikhil.
A class 1 student at New Florence School, Janani was known for her singing. “She was fond of reality shows and knew many Tamil movie songs,” said Jyoshna Mathew, a neighbour of Janani.
Perils aplenty
According to Fatima, movement of water tractors, mini-trucks and earth-moving equipment poses risk to pedestrians in the area.
“The roads are narrow and regular movement of heavy vehicles forces motorists to ride on pavements. Pedestrians like Janani have to pay with their life. People fighting over petty road accidents is common here,” said Chitra Perumal, another resident, adding, “Due to water scarcity, there is huge demand for water tankers. Owners hire youngsters without experience as drivers. They drive in a rash and negligent manner.”
“It is not that only moving vehicles are a threat. Dozens of tractors, JCBs and mini-trucks are parked hazardously all over this area. They eat into road space, forcing other vehicles to move closer to each other,” Ramesh Kumar, another resident, said.
“I was walking behind. It all happened in a split second. The big wheels of the tractor crushed her and she died instantly. We tried our best to revive her by giving water, but in vain,” said Ishrat Fatima, an eyewitness. Police arrested accused driver Pradeep Kumar, 35, of Banaswadi and seized the vehicle. He was booked under IPC 304A for causing death due to negligence.
Eight-year-old S Janani, the birthday boy’s sister, was keen on gifting her brother chocolates and after much effort, got her mother to give her some money. Around 9.30am, the girl rushed out, clutching a few Rs 10 notes in her hand, to a shop near her house on Oil Mill Road, Kanakadasa Layout. But tragedy struck midway as a water tractor hit Janani. She came under its rear wheels and died instantly.
‘Happened in a split second’
“I was walking behind. It all happened in a split second. The big wheels of the tractor crushed her and she died instantly. We tried our best to revive her by giving water, but in vain,” said Ishrat Fatima, an eyewitness. Police arrested accused driver Pradeep Kumar, 35, of Banaswadi and seized the vehicle. He was booked under IPC 304A for causing death due to negligence.
Janani is survived by her parents and two elder brothers, S Dhanush and S Nikhil.
A class 1 student at New Florence School, Janani was known for her singing. “She was fond of reality shows and knew many Tamil movie songs,” said Jyoshna Mathew, a neighbour of Janani.
TimesView
The woes of summer are not limited to taps running dry in many areas of the city. A spike in cases of water tankerrelated accidents is also routine. From narrow roads to unscientific parking, the death of eight-year-old Janani highlights Bengaluru’s many civic deficiencies. Walkers are often among the last to have access to roads and footpaths. Meanwhile, in the haste to make money, water tanker operators blatantly flout rules, often engaging inefficient drivers, whose callousness proves fatal for others. While stringent action against offenders is imperative, streamlining the water-delivery process should be a priority for the civic body.
Perils aplenty
According to Fatima, movement of water tractors, mini-trucks and earth-moving equipment poses risk to pedestrians in the area.
“The roads are narrow and regular movement of heavy vehicles forces motorists to ride on pavements. Pedestrians like Janani have to pay with their life. People fighting over petty road accidents is common here,” said Chitra Perumal, another resident, adding, “Due to water scarcity, there is huge demand for water tankers. Owners hire youngsters without experience as drivers. They drive in a rash and negligent manner.”
“It is not that only moving vehicles are a threat. Dozens of tractors, JCBs and mini-trucks are parked hazardously all over this area. They eat into road space, forcing other vehicles to move closer to each other,” Ramesh Kumar, another resident, said.
“I was walking behind. It all happened in a split second. The big wheels of the tractor crushed her and she died instantly. We tried our best to revive her by giving water, but in vain,” said Ishrat Fatima, an eyewitness. Police arrested accused driver Pradeep Kumar, 35, of Banaswadi and seized the vehicle. He was booked under IPC 304A for causing death due to negligence.
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