New Delhi, July 13 (Inditop.com) Schoolchildren were among curious onlookers who flocked Monday to an underconstruction Delhi Metro rail site that saw two shocking accidents in as many days and came under frenzied cleanup operations and media attention. Several students said they crossed the spot every day.
The children of Bluebells International and Tagore International – the two schools adjoining the accident site at Zamrudpur in south Delhi – could be seen around the spot, which has been barricaded for up to 50-100 metres from three sides after Sunday’s accident claimed six lives.
Speaking about the second crash Monday that left six injured, Aditi Sinha, a Class 6 student of Bluebells, said: “We were in the school playground when it happened. We first thought that it was lightning in the sky but later realised the cranes had collapsed.”
Soon after, the school gates were closed and no student was allowed outside.
A worried parent, Shashi Gupta, said unlike everyday she came to pick up her kids from school Monday since she simply couldn’t sit watching all the disturbing news on TV at home.
“I have been very worried ever since news started flashing about cranes falling near my children’s school, Tagore International. That’s why I decided to come and pick them up myself,” said Gupta, whose two daughters study in the school.
Many parents in fact did not send their wards to school Monday after the previous day’s incident. Some thought the Bluebells School would be closed as it is located right next to the site. A schoolguard said frenzied parents kept calling throughout the day.
Indu Ghai, the general administrator of the Bluebells school, admitted that “attendance is low”. “The school is functioning normally today. We are ensuring complete safety for our students and we are seeing to it that no student steps out of the school premises unattended. However, I think it is the safety concern of the parents because of which the attendance of students is lower than usual,” said Ghai.
Rohan Arora, a Class 9 student of Tagore International, said: “My parents were very worried about sending me to school today. I thank my stars that it was a Sunday, otherwise anything could have happened since I cross this area everyday.”
Neeru Batra, a teacher in the same school, said she was concerned about everybody’s safety after two accidents in just 24 hours.
“I think precaution should have been taken by the Metro officials after the Sunday accident. After this morning’s incident, we can clearly see the way they are functioning.”
Bhim Sen Singh, a van driver, said: “I cross this area everyday and this area around Zamrudpur is full of traffic because of Bluebells school and Lady Shri Ram college. I was shocked to know that this had actually happened”.
On Sunday, an elevated section of the Metro rail track under construction came down in a heap of concrete and steel, leaving 15 people injured. Six people were killed in Monday’s accident.
