Kurla Bus Accident: Brake Failure or System Meltdown?
The Kurla bus accident, which left 7 dead and 49 injured, raises questions about whether brake failure or systemic issues were to blame. The incident has sparked calls for stronger safety measures and accountability within BEST’s operations.
Key Highlights
– The bus crashed into 22 vehicles before hitting a wall and stopping
– ‘Brake failure’ cited as the cause of the Kurla bus accident by driver Sanjay
– Workers union in uproar over irresponsible hiring practices by BEST
Update, December 16, 2024: A 55-year-old man, who had been injured in the recent BEST bus accident in the Kurla area, passed away on Monday morning. His death has brought the total number of fatalities to eight, as reported by PTI.
Mumbai witnessed a catastrophic accident yesterday night when a BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport) electric bus lost control, wreaking havoc on the streets of Ambedkar Nagar.
The bus sped out of control over a 100-metre stretch and ran into vehicles including rickshaws, police vans, and even pedestrians in Kurla West.
The Kurla bus accident resulted in 7 fatalities and left 49 individuals injured, with several battling for their lives in critical condition.
According to eyewitness accounts, the bus plowed through a crowded street, striking six auto-rickshaws, ten motorcycles, and ten pedestrians before crashing into the gate of Ambedkar Colony.
An onlooker described the scene: “First, it hit an auto, then relentlessly struck vehicles one after another, before finally crashing into the Ambedkar Colony gate.”
The driver of the bus involved in the Mumbai bus accident has been taken into custody and charged with culpable homicide.
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Cause of the Kurla Bus Accident
1. Bus Driver Sanjay More’s Account
The driver, 43-year-old Sanjay More, claimed that the bus suffered a brake failure, leaving him unable to control the vehicle.
He also disclosed that he was uncomfortable with the automatic transmission of the electric bus, which had been assigned only on December 1. The police, alongside experts from the Regional Transport Office (RTO), are investigating the legitimacy of his claim.
Regional Transport Chief Ravi Gaikwad assured the public that a comprehensive technical inspection of the bus would be carried out. Experts will assist Mumbai Police in verifying the facts of the incident, he assured.
2. Shiv Sena MLA Dilip Lande’s Account
Shiv Sena MLA Dilip Lande attributed the Kurla bus accident to a technical failure and driver panic. “The bus’s brake failed, and the driver lost control. In his panic, instead of pressing the brake, he hit the accelerator,” he explained.
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Driver Was Not a BEST Employee
The bus involved in the Kurla bus accident was part of BEST’s new fleet of electric buses, which operate under a wet lease agreement with Olectra, a private contractor. The arrangement involves outsourcing buses and drivers, a cost-cutting strategy that has drawn criticism from the BEST Workers’ Union.
Union representatives have long opposed this system, citing that externally sourced drivers often lack adequate experience and training. They argue that poor pay and high trip quotas compromise the safety and reliability of these drivers.
They also claim that the current model prioritizes cost-cutting over passenger safety.
This Kurla bus accident yesterday has reinforced their position and the union leaders are presenting demands to review policy and ensure only in-house BEST-employed bus drivers remain.
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Government Offers Ex-Gratia and Support
MLA Dilip Lande has called for immediate action to address safety concerns. He has assured the injured that BEST will do all it can to support them through their medical liabilities.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh for each family affected by this tragedy.
BEST has established a committee to investigate the incident. It has announced that it will provide Rs 2 lakh in compensation to the families of the deceased and cover the treatment costs for the injured.
Update 6: Fatal BEST bus accident in Mumbai 🚨
— Jeet Mashru (@mashrujeet) December 10, 2024
The BEST has set up a committee to investigate this incident. A compensation of ₹2 lakh to the family of victims who lost their life and cost of treatment of injured to be borne by BEST. https://t.co/HKAiU6YIxB https://t.co/N3ZRNDoFfg pic.twitter.com/XU9jH3qU52
Public Response
With the death toll at 7 and the injured at 49, Mumbai is reeling under the aftermath of the BEST bus accident yesterday. Public opinion has grown critical of BEST’s policies and operational methods.
BEST has grounded several routes today, the day hence, fearing public outroar and the possibility of arsonist damage to other buses in the fleet.
Bus had No Technical Default
On December 12, the Regional Transport Officers (RTO) submitted a preliminary assessment report to the police, confirming that the bus involved in the Kurla accident had no technical faults.
The police stated that they believe Sanjay More may have caused the accident intentionally, using the bus as a “weapon.”
Mandatory Breathalyser Tests
In response to the Kurla accident, BEST officials announced that breathalyser tests for drivers would become mandatory. Additionally, top officials from BEST and the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) held meetings with private operators.
They requested information on driver training programs, hiring criteria, and available training infrastructure, as reported by PTI.
