BMRCL starts installing safety nets at Bengaluru metro stations after toddler's death

The toddler, Hasini, died after falling down from the side of an escalator at Srirampura metro station after her grandfather, who was holding her, lost his balance.
BMRCL starts installing safety nets at Bengaluru metro stations after toddler's death
BMRCL starts installing safety nets at Bengaluru metro stations after toddler's death
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Days after Hasini, a one-and-a-half-year-old girl died after falling down from the side of an escalator at Srirampura metro station in the city, metro authorities have begun the installation of safety measures near escalators.

Officials of the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) began placing nets to cover the large spaces next to escalators in Srirampura and other stations. Officials swung into action after a case of negligence was registered against BMRCL at the Subramanya Nagar police station. The case was registered based on a complaint by Balakrishna (52), Hasini’s grandfather.

Police investigating the case had earlier told TNM, "There was nothing stopping the fall of the baby for around 50 feet. The baby had fallen on the road and had died. There was an empty space next to the escalator with nothing to break the fall of the baby for two floors. The incident could have been avoided if there was a net spread out in that space," said a police official at Subramanya Nagar Police Station.

Investigating officials have now written to BMRCL asking for details of the contractor who constructed the escalator and the adjoining stairs. They have also asked for construction plans of the area to check if it has taken safety measures into account while building, reported The Hindu.

The tragic incident occurred on Sunday night at around 8:07 pm when Balakrishna was carrying Hasini on the escalator and lost his balance. The baby's grandmother and mother were also with him.

Hasini sustained injuries during the fall and was rushed to KC General Hospital. She was later shifted to Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health. She was confirmed dead on Monday morning.

In 2007, a six-year-old child had died in Bengaluru's Garuda Mall when he had a free fall after climbing the parapet grill of the fourth floor in the mall. Police had registered an FIR against the owner of the mall for not keeping necessary safety measures in place. After the incident, Garuda Mall and many other shopping malls in the city began installing nets between floors to break falls and prevent injuries.

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