Innocents caught in traffic and pollution in Chennai

“There is no trust more sacred than the one that world holds with children. There is no duty more important than ensuring that their welfare is protected and that their lives are free from fear,” says former UN chairman Kofi Annan.

A mother helping her children n crossing the road. (Courtesy ACJ server)

Almost all the parents and institutions (schools, NGOs) for the welfare of children would unhesitatingly agree to above lines but an assessment of the school kids’ commutation, to and from their school would present a contrast image. In Chennai one can spot the problems school kids face in commutation. Problems are numerous from traffic to pollution, etc.

One can spot children crammed in a single auto for school. This sometimes results in to fatal accident put innocents live to risk. Drivers are reluctant to comment. However some of them try to put their brave face. They say it is essential for their livelihood.

Some parents are too afraid to let their children go to school on their own. They accompany them to school and come to receive at the end of the day. This points out mistrust in traffic regulation. Venkatesh Rajeshwaran, a dotting father of three year old who studies in KV Adyarr shares the similar concern. He travels from outskirts of Chennai to drop his ward.

On being asked about how safe a child feels on the road, a student from Kendriya Vidyalaya recalled the horror of an accident in which one of his school mate lost her life. His voice got choked while narrating the accident.

However, some of the schools have taken steps in the direction of  ensuring smooth and hassle free commutation for the kids up to the age of 12 years. They assemble children in common space and then systematically they leave. Such an approach can enhance the safety of accident prone kids.

A recent study presents the worst picture of India in child safety on road. 19 out of 100,000 children in India die of safety related accident which is highest in the world.

Apart from the traffic hazard, the innocents are compelled to breathe poison floating in the air. Laxity on the part of police, gives a free hand to those vehicles that emit nothing but deadly pollutant like carbon mono-oxide (CO). Studies done by a Delhi based institution ‘Centre for Science and Environment’ shows that between 2007 and 2011- NO2 levels rose from 9 micrograms per cu m to 24 micrograms per cu m—an increase of 166 percent , at 60 percent a year. Also the carcinogenic toxin – polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) is ranging between 325.7 to 790.8 nanogram/cu m- which is worrisome. An independent study carried out by an IIT Kanpur scholar Mukesh on Indian air quality index for different pollutant presents different pollutants’ standard presence in air.

Side effects of heavily adulterated air is harmful for children as their immunity does not withstand the severity of pollutants.Usually the innocents after reaching to school find themselves in a dizzy and exhausted.

Surprise pollution check by police near T Nagar. (Courtesy Server)

At times, they cannot concentrate on the matter being taught. Physical mobility also shows a relative decline that generally results in low immunity.  Tamil Nadu Pollution Control board keeps a watch on varying nature of pollutant in the city. The authorities concerned for keeping a tab on vehicles go for surprise pollutant emission check up of vehicles..

Somasundaram, Sub Inspector Traffic Control Wing,Annanagar Chennai talks about different strategies that would make commutation easier and viable for each section of commuters- from pavement dwellers to four wheeler owners. Immediate and effective solution is far from reality until parents as well as organisations meant for child safety do not come together with Government.