3-year-old dies in Kota traffic jam, police under scrutiny

Kota: A three-year-old boy died after an ambulance carrying him was stuck in a traffic jam on NH 52 near Dara Nala, about 60 km from Kota. The child, Hari Om, was being transferred from Chechat government hospital to Kota due to his critical condition when the delay proved fatal.

The area is notorious for frequent traffic jams, and despite police being stationed there round the clock, questions have been raised about their effectiveness. The police have now stated that they will investigate the matter.

Indian law mandates giving way to ambulances, with penalties of up to Rs 10,000 and even six months of imprisonment for repeated violations.

However, the lack of enforcement on the ground has once again exposed administrative failures, with tragic consequences.