A horrific incident occurred on Monday night as a BEST electric bus went out of control in Kurla (West), Mumbai, and ran amok, leaving seven dead and 42 others, including four police officers, injured. The tragic episode has brought to the forefront several questions about the training of the driver and the safety features of electric buses.The BEST undertaking bus was traveling at a top speed of 46 kmph through the narrow SG Barve Marg when it crashed into several vehicles and pedestrians. The bus covered a distance of 250 meters in just 36 seconds before crashing into a wall, leaving the busy street in ruins and damaging 22 vehicles.Driver Sanjay More was seen on CCTV footage collecting two backpacks from the cabin and jumping out of a broken window moments after the accident. The conductor exited through the rear door, while terrified passengers scrambled to escape the shattered windows. More has since been arrested and charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder and is remanded in police custody until December 21.The footage of the viral social media post shows panicking passengers gripping poles and handles as the bus went out of control. Some of the passengers stood up in confusion, trying to understand the chaos outside. The bus came to a halt only after hitting a wall.Investigations have shown that More, despite being a driver since 1991, had almost no training on electric vehicles. He had attended only a 10-day course that consisted of only three days of practical training. The automatic and gearless electric bus was a new experience for him. Although More drove the EVs for nine days before the accident without any issues, he panicked when the bus suddenly accelerated. According to him, he intentionally crashed into the wall to avoid more casualties.Authorities are investigating from various angles to find out what led to the accident. Some of the key areas of investigation are whether More’s brief training was enough, if he was under stress or distraction, and if there was a mechanical fault in the electric bus. Though More was not intoxicated, blood tests are being conducted to rule out other substances.The accident has raised questions over the safety measures adopted by BEST and its contractors. Wet lease is a model where private operators provide the buses and drivers and keep the vehicles in good condition while BEST handles the operations. Immediately after the accident, BEST and MSRTC officials met the private operators to discuss issues of driver training, recruitment process, and safety procedures. As a precautionary measure, BEST will now require breath analyzer tests for all drivers.A senior police officer, speaking anonymously, suspects driver error rather than a mechanical issue. However, the exact cause remains unclear. Teams of investigators are collaborating with BEST and the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to piece together the incident, seeking eyewitness accounts from passengers.The tragedy underlines the urgent need for better training of EV drivers and stringent safety measures. The Kurla crash has left an indelible mark, underlining the importance of preparedness in the rapidly expanding electric vehicle sector. Authorities are determined to ensure that such incidents do not occur again, with stricter regulations and enhanced safety measures now a priority.
Reported by Ankitaa Bal
From Kolkata
For True To Life