Tragic Traffic: Toddler's Death Sparks Outrage in Thane

A toddler's death in Thane, caused by traffic delays while en route for emergency medical treatment, has stirred public outrage. The boy fell from a balcony and, despite efforts to transport him for advanced care, was declared dead upon arrival after the ambulance was delayed in gridlock.

The tragic death of 16-month-old Rian Sheikh has sparked public outrage and highlighted the severe traffic issues plaguing the Thane district. On Thursday, Rian fell from his grandmother's balcony while playing, sustaining critical injuries.

Efforts to rush him to a specialized hospital in Mumbai were thwarted by massive traffic jams on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway, exacerbated by ongoing roadwork on Thane-Ghodbunder Road. Despite being temporarily stabilized at a private hospital, he was declared dead on arrival at a facility in Sasoon Navghar.

Local residents blame the administration for the crisis, citing previous fatalities linked to the region's traffic bottleneck. Activist Sushant Patil criticized the traffic management, demanding green corridors and accountability to prevent more tragedies.

(With inputs from agencies.)