Mumbai was left shaken by the horrific Kurla bus accident on Monday night when a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) e-bus plowed through pedestrians and vehicles on S G Barve Marg. The incident, which killed seven people and injured 42 others, has raised critical questions about the driver’s intent, training, and the safety protocols of electric buses.
The Accident and Allegations
The driver, Sanjay More, was arrested shortly after the Kurla bus accident . Eyewitness accounts claimed that More seemed to be ‘laughing and enjoying his death drive.’ Mumbai Police are investigating whether the act was deliberate and have sought custody of More to probe if he used the bus as a “weapon.”
Authorities are also examining whether there was a conspiracy behind the crash or if the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The Driver’s Defense
More’s lawyer, Samadhan Sulane, argued that a “technical fault” might have caused the crash, emphasizing the administration’s responsibility for inspecting vehicles before they are deployed. More’s wife refuted allegations of intoxication, describing her husband as a responsible individual who would never consume alcohol.
“My husband worked diligently to support the family. I have full faith in him,” she said.
What the RTO Report Revealed
An initial inspection conducted by the Wadala Regional Transport Office (RTO) revealed that the bus’s brakes and headlights were functioning correctly at the time of the accident. The findings have discredited the family’s claims that brake failure was the root cause.
According to RTO officials, the accident was likely caused by human error and insufficient training. More had undergone only ten days of training to operate the automatic electric bus, which operates differently from traditional manual transmission buses.
Electric buses lack clutch and gear systems, and inexperienced drivers may misjudge acceleration and braking. A retired RTO official explained that electric buses also do not have air-assisted braking systems found in conventional buses, making their handling unique and challenging for those unaccustomed to the technology.
A Tragedy Rooted in Systemic Gaps?
The bus traveled 400 to 450 meters after hitting the first vehicle before finally crashing into the wall of a housing society. Officials suggest that inadequate driver training and unfamiliarity with the vehicle’s mechanism may have contributed to the accident.
Broader Concerns
The tragedy underscores the pressing need for stricter safety protocols, comprehensive training for drivers, and rigorous vehicle inspections, particularly as cities transition to electric public transport systems.
As the investigation continues, the Kurla accident has spotlighted the gaps in implementing safety measures in the public transport sector, leaving Mumbaikars questioning the preparedness of authorities in adapting to new-age technology.
This news report is curated with insights from multiple reliable news sources.
