All it takes is a spark

No, this is no hype for Chevrolet's latest launch in the countryJ

Today's Times of India reports on a Mumbai taxi catching fire and killing a senior citizen inside. Given that these vehicles are a major source of transport in the city for the lack of a better option, I would have expected it to be on page 1, but given our newspapers' emphasis on T&A I am glad at least the TOI mentioned it. I am not sure the others did.

Loosely, what happened was this. This bunch had hired the taxi from Bandra station and on the way it caught fire. While the driver was the first to flee on noticing sparks, three of the four passengers managed to get out of the vehicle, leaving one to burn to death.

It's one of those things that make you go, there but for the grace of God go I

For, a few years ago (yes, I did mention that I have been condemned to this mode of transport for a long time) I was bumping along in one and when I slowed down in Mumbai's inevitable traffic the motorcyclist next banged on the car to draw my attention. Chingar hai, chingar, he exclaimed. Kya, I asked him disbelievingly and also uncomprehendingly. Arre there are sparks coming out of your taxi, he yelled at me.

But the driver was blasé about the whole thing. Haan saab, but nothing will happen, don't worry, he grinned at me and continued along merrily. But, I stuttered, there is CNG in the car, it can be dangerous Nothing will happen, don't worry, was his sage advice.

At the next two signals too motorists pointed out the sparks coming out of the vehicle, unnerving me further, but nothing could shake the driver's confidence that a fire won't break out.

But my own confidence was badly shaken this morning on reading the news item about a taxi catching fire