Mumbai Priest Fatally Injured in Electric BEST Bus Collision on SCLR
A tragic road accident claimed the life of a 55-year-old priest in Mumbai on Thursday afternoon, when an electric BEST bus collided with his scooter on the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) in Kurla. The incident has raised concerns about road safety on this busy stretch, which has been plagued by infrastructure issues.
Details of the Fatal Mishap
The deceased has been identified as Trivikram Shripad Acharya, a resident of Ganesh Krupa building in Nehru Nagar, Kurla West. According to the Kurla police, the accident occurred around 12:30 pm. The BEST bus rammed into Acharya's scooter, causing him to fall. Subsequently, the rear wheels of the bus reportedly ran over him, resulting in his immediate death at the scene.
Police have taken the bus driver, Kamlesh Kumar Baranlal (42), into custody and booked him for causing death by negligence. Preliminary investigations have ruled out drunk driving, and the driver underwent a medical examination to confirm he was not under the influence of alcohol at the time. Authorities are in the process of registering a formal case, with further investigation ongoing to determine the exact circumstances of the collision.
Ongoing Safety Concerns on SCLR
This is not the first fatal incident on the SCLR. In October 2025, a 22-year-old resident of Ghatkopar died after losing control of his scooter and crashing into a road divider on the same flyover at Tilak Nagar. Motorists using the extended 3.8km flyover have repeatedly complained about potholes and uneven road surfaces, which they attribute to numerous accidents in the area.
The recurring accidents highlight urgent infrastructure and safety issues that need addressing to prevent further tragedies. Local authorities are urged to inspect and repair the road conditions promptly to enhance safety for all commuters.
