A tragic accident involving a public transport bus in Mumbai has resulted in the deaths of four people, including three women, and left nine others injured. The incident occurred on Monday night in the bustling suburban area of Bhandup (West).
Details of the Bhandup Bus Tragedy
According to a police official, the accident took place at around 10 pm on the busy Station Road. A midi bus operated by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking knocked down pedestrians while it was reversing. The bus was at the endpoint of its route outside Bhandup (West) suburban railway station when the driver engaged reverse gear, leading to the catastrophic collision.
The injured victims were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. The police confirmed that the bus driver was detained at the scene. Legal proceedings are underway, with the process of registering a First Information Report (FIR) against him initiated.
Operational Lapses and Fleet Challenges
The bus involved was a wet-leased vehicle hired from Olectra Greentech. Under this model, the contractor or operator bears the costs for fuel, the driver, and maintenance. However, a senior civic official, speaking anonymously, revealed that the driver behind the wheel at the time of the crash was from the BEST undertaking itself.
This incident has brought to light the operational constraints faced by BEST. The official pointed out that the undertaking, facing a shortage of buses, introduced Olectra-made midi buses on routes from Bhandup (West) station despite challenges like an inadequate turning radius for some routes. Earlier this year, mini buses on crowded routes connecting Bhandup station to nearby slum areas were withdrawn from the fleet.
Political Reaction and Demand for Inquiry
The accident prompted a strong reaction from Mumbai Congress president and Lok Sabha MP Varsha Gaikwad. She expressed deep sadness over the incident and demanded a thorough investigation. "Faulty buses, untrained drivers and an administration unwilling to invest in and improve BEST are risking several lives on a daily basis," Gaikwad stated, highlighting systemic issues within the public transport body.
In a concerning postscript, the public relations department of BEST had not officially confirmed the accident even an hour after it occurred. Key officials, including PRO Sucheta Utale and general manager Sonia Sethi, were unavailable for comment, raising questions about crisis communication.
The tragedy underscores the critical need for enhanced safety protocols during bus maneuvering, especially in crowded suburban hubs, and has ignited a debate on the maintenance and operation of Mumbai's public bus fleet.
