Mumbai: BEST committee chairperson Trushna Vishwasrao on Monday convened a meeting with all wet lease bus operators and senior BEST officials in the wake of the Dadar bus crash. She issued stringent directives to tighten safety practices and prevent similar incidents.
Strict Action Over Penalties
"Merely imposing penalties after such crashes won't work. We need to take strict action," Vishwasrao stated, emphasizing that accountability must be ensured through daily compliance rather than post-incident fines. The directives to wet lease operators focus on reinforcing safety checks, operational discipline, and driver preparedness as investigations into Monday's mishap continue.
Pre-Departure Inspections Mandated
According to sources, BEST has instructed all wet lease operators to deploy maintenance teams for pre-departure inspections of every electric and CNG bus before they leave the city's 27 depots each morning. These inspections will cover mechanical and electrical systems, with operators required to document checks and immediately withhold buses with defects from service.
Driver Training and Fatigue Management
Vishwasrao also directed operators to expand and standardize driver training, covering driving skills, safe handling of electric buses and automatic transmission vehicles, and sensitization on road discipline and traffic rules. Officials noted the emphasis on ensuring uniform competence levels across contracted operations, especially as wet lease services have grown rapidly in recent years. Driver fatigue and workplace conditions were highlighted as key risk factors. Wet lease operators have been asked to provide adequate rest to drivers to prevent overwork and ensure timely wage payments. Suggestions were made to strengthen driver well-being measures so that drivers remain focused in high-traffic, high-stress conditions.
Enhanced Inspections and Training
BEST has recently intensified checks on vehicle fitness and roadworthiness of wet lease buses. In a recent inspection drive, over 400 buses were examined for mechanical and electrical issues, and 11 were taken off roads. While drivers of BEST-owned buses undergo robust in-house training, the corporation has expanded training interventions for wet lease drivers. BEST general manager Sonia Sethi has made a four-week mandatory training program compulsory for wet lease drivers operating electric buses, replacing the earlier one-week module. Officials said training records are being verified, and some drivers may be sent for refresher courses.
Recurring Faults Raised
Meanwhile, BEST panel member Nitin Nandgaonkar reiterated concerns over recurring faults in wet lease buses. He said he had petitioned BEST management with evidence related to at least 13 buses, citing steering lock issues, possible brake failures, worn brake liners, poor vehicle condition, and inadequate maintenance leading to repeated breakdowns.
