Mumbai: At least four people were killed and nine others sustained serious injuries after a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus rammed into commuters while reversing near Bhandup suburban railway station late on Monday night, officials said.
The tragic incident occurred at around 10:03 pm, when a civic-run BEST bus allegedly lost control while moving in reverse outside the busy railway station premises. The bus reportedly ran over passengers waiting near the station entrance, leading to panic and chaos at the spot.
Senior police inspector Balasaheb Pawar said that local police teams rushed to the scene immediately after receiving information about the accident. The injured were quickly shifted to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment. Fire brigade teams, ambulances, and BEST officials were also deployed to manage the situation and clear the area.
Key Details of the Bhandup BEST Bus Accident
- The bus driver, Santosh Ramesh Sawant (52), has been taken into police custody for questioning, police officials confirmed.
- The vehicle involved was a Wetlease Olectra-made midi bus, operating on route number A-606 and attached to the Vikhroli depot.
- A BEST official said that conductor Bhagwan Bhau Ghare was also present inside the bus at the time of the accident.
- According to officials, BEST had introduced midi buses on certain routes from Bhandup (West) due to a shortage of buses, despite operational challenges such as limited turning space in the area.
- Investigations are underway to determine whether mechanical failure, human error, or infrastructural limitations led to the accident.
Government Announces Compensation
Reacting to the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹5 lakh each for the families of those who lost their lives in the accident. He also directed authorities to ensure proper medical care for the injured.
The incident has once again raised concerns over passenger safety, bus operations in congested areas, and infrastructure planning near major transport hubs in Mumbai.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over the incident and paid tributes to those who lost their lives. In a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, he described the accident as “extremely unfortunate” and extended condolences to the bereaved families.
Meanwhile, Mumbai Congress president and Lok Sabha MP Varsha Gaikwad called for a detailed inquiry into the accident. Criticising the current transport policy, she alleged that BEST, once considered a world-class public transport system, has been systematically weakened. In a statement shared on X, Gaikwad blamed the wet-leasing model and the government’s reluctance to restore a fully public-run BEST, claiming that excessive reliance on private contractors has compromised commuter safety and pushed the city into a risky situation.