The 67-year-old institute has two campuses located between Ellisbridge and Nehru bridge
For nearly 500 children and adults with intellectual disability, crossing Ashram road to commute between two campuses of BM Institute of Mental Health across both sides of the road has become a nightmare.
The 67-year-old institute has two campuses located between Ellisbridge and Nehru bridge. Due to lack of a speed breaker on both sides, which, as per rules, should be there near any school, speedy vehicles make it tough for students and staffers to commute.
While the institute officials were somehow trying to manage in the already prevailing dangerous situation, a recent accident of one of their staffers, who was critically injured while crossing the road to reach one of the campus, was an eye-opener. Within few days of the accident, the institute has written to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation seeking an immediate alternate possible solution to the problem, to avert any further incident.
The officials proposed a traffic signal along with a traffic booth and zebra crossing as a solution. The letter, written by Director of BM Institute of Mental Health Dr Madhu Singh stated: Everyday, we receive more than 500 children and adults with an intellectual disability for diagnostic work, therapy, special education and vocational skill training between two campuses.
There is a special school for mentally challenged children 'Sharda school' and a normal school Baghar inside the premise. Around 500 people with disability, 100 staff members and 100 parents use both the campuses between 10.00 am and 5.00 pm.
The traffic is regulated by Ellisbridge and Nehru bridge. Looking at the peak traffic at Ashram road during the day, crossing the road by children with disability and their parents to avail services has become dangerous. We propose an immediate alternate possible solution to make lives safe while crossing the road by putting traffic signal with traffic police and zebra crossing near both our premises."
Singh said, "On January 19, one of our employees met with an accident while crossing the road and was seriously injured. Many enrolled special needs children have to cross the road as these services are part of rehabilitation."
When DNA contacted Sudhir Desai, DCP, Traffic, he was not available for a comment.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Traffic")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}