Bengaluru Buses Turn Creches For Labourers' Kids

Ever wondered what the children of construction workers do when their parents go to work? They usually bring their kids to work and let them play or help near the site which can be hazardous. Bengaluru is a fast-growing city where labourers are in demand. In search of work, low-income groups of people are migrating to the city from all over the country and, there too, similar situation occur at different sites. But constructions sites are dangerous for kids. This can often turn into accidental injury or a major mishap. But now the state government has come up with a perfect solution to the problem. They have initiated a proposal of mobile creches for such kids, it will be a space for kids to play and spend their time away from unsafe zones. These kids who accompany their parents to construction sites will have old buses which will be renovated for them with special attractions like toys, books and snacks. The aim is to provide the children with comfort alongside ensuring that they get a safer and healthier environment while their parents work.

According to a report by The New Indian Express, old discarded BMTC and KSRTC buses will be turned into play stations by artists. It will be made colourful so that kids get attracted to it. Toys and books will also be placed inside the bus for the children to play with.

Key Takeaways:

• Bengaluru to have the first-of-its-kind mobile creche service for kids of labourers which will be placed near the construction site where parents go to work.
• State's old discarded BMTC and KSRTC buses will be turned into play stations by artists. They'll be painted in bright colours to attract kids.
• The creches will be furbished with toys and books for kids to play with.
• The state is also planning to provide healthy snacks to the kids in the morning.

The Labour Department is responsible to procure old buses and hand them over to NGOs who will then run the creches, after they have been painted and furbished with books and toys to keep children occupied. The department is also planning to provide healthy snacks to the kids in the morning. Rs 25 lakh funds have been allotted for this project.

The Labour Department is starting the first-of-its-kind mobile creche service in Bengaluru. The creches will be placed near the construction site

A source from the Labour Department said, “We are planning to take old BMTC and KSRTC buses that are discarded. We will procure them and give them a new look with the help of artists. Toys and books will be kept inside the buses. It will be made colourful to attract kids and will have a children-friendly atmosphere. These creches will be given to NGOs who will run them. We are also planning to give healthy snacks to the children in the morning.”

Placing them closer to construction sites will ensure that the parents can work worry-free and they can come and watch their children any time. “Since construction works take place for months together, these creches will be parked next to the construction sites for months,” the source added.

There was a proposal for tent schools for these children too. “But this is not feasible and is unsafe during rains. Therefore, we decided to make use of discarded buses instead,” an official said.

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Representative Image, Credit: The News Minute

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