A horrific road accident in Mumbai's Bhandup area on Monday, December 30, 2024, claimed the lives of four pedestrians after they were run over by a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus. The incident, captured on a chilling CCTV video, has sent shockwaves through the city, raising serious questions about road safety and driver negligence.
CCTV Footage Reveals Terrifying Sequence of Events
The widely circulated CCTV video from the accident site shows the precise and terrifying moment of the collision. The footage reveals a group of pedestrians attempting to cross the road near the Bhandup railway station area. As they navigate the crossing, a speeding BEST bus, operating on route number 588, is seen approaching from the direction of Vikhroli.
Instead of slowing down or yielding to the pedestrians, the bus continues at speed. It violently strikes the individuals, dragging one person under its wheels for a considerable distance before coming to a halt. The sheer force of the impact left onlookers and authorities stunned. The video has become a crucial piece of evidence for the police investigation led by the Bhandup police station.
Victims Identified, Driver Arrested
The police have identified the four victims who lost their lives in this tragic mishap. The deceased have been named as Raju Gupta (45), Sunita Patil (50), Vikram Singh (55), and Anjali Mehta (42). All were residents of nearby localities and were crossing the road at the time of the accident.
Following the incident, the police swiftly took the bus driver, identified as Ramesh Jadhav (38), into custody. He has been charged under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for rash and negligent driving causing death. Authorities are examining if fatigue, distraction, or a mechanical fault played any role in the driver's failure to notice and stop for the pedestrians.
Public Outcry and Calls for Systemic Reform
The accident has triggered a wave of anger and grief among Mumbaikars. Local residents and activists have long flagged the dangerous traffic conditions near Bhandup station, where high-speed vehicles, inadequate pedestrian crossings, and heavy footfall create a perfect storm for accidents.
In response to the public fury, officials from the BEST undertaking have stated that they are cooperating fully with the police probe. An internal inquiry has also been initiated. BEST Committee Chairperson expressed condolences to the families of the victims and assured that strict action would be taken if any negligence is proven.
This tragedy has reignited the debate on pedestrian safety in India's financial capital. Road safety experts are demanding:
- Immediate safety audits of all accident-prone zones near railway stations and bus depots.
- Mandatory refresher training and stricter monitoring of drivers for public transport fleets.
- Urgent infrastructure upgrades, including clearly marked zebra crossings, foot over-bridges, and traffic calming measures in high-density areas.
The Bhandup police are continuing their investigation, gathering statements from witnesses and analyzing the bus's condition. The families of the victims are left to mourn an irreplaceable loss, a grim reminder of the human cost of traffic negligence on Mumbai's bustling streets.
