Mumbai: A tragic accident involving a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus near Bhandup suburban railway station claimed four lives and left nine others injured on Monday night. The incident occurred around 10:03 pm as the bus was reversing outside the station.

Senior police inspector Balasaheb Pawar confirmed that police teams reached the site immediately, and the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals. Fire brigade units, ambulances, and BEST personnel were also deployed to assist at the scene.

Key details of the accident:

• Driver in custody: The 52-year-old driver, Santosh Ramesh Sawant, has been taken into police custody. Conductor Bhagwan Bhau Ghare was also present on the bus at the time of the accident.
• Bus details: The bus involved was a Wetlease Olectra midi bus operating on route number A-606 from the Vikhroli depot. BEST had introduced these midi buses on routes from Bhandup West Station to cope with operational constraints such as inadequate turning radius and a shortage of buses.
• Civic response: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh each for the families of the deceased.
• Political reaction: Mumbai Congress president and Lok Sabha MP Varsha Gaikwad demanded an inquiry into the accident. She criticised the current handling of BEST, pointing to the wet-leasing model and reduction in public-run operations as factors compromising safety. On her official X handle, she wrote, “BEST, once a world-class public transport system, has been deliberately weakened. The disastrous wet-leasing model, refusal to restore a fully public-run BEST, and this government’s obsession of handing over everything to its contractors’ friends have pushed Mumbai into danger.”

Overview:

The accident has highlighted ongoing concerns about safety in Mumbai’s public transport system, particularly under the wet-leasing model. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities are examining both operational and regulatory factors that may have contributed to the tragedy.

Families of the injured and deceased are being supported by the administration, and further updates on the probe and medical condition of the injured are expected in the coming days.