A tragic accident in suburban Bhandup has claimed four lives and left nine others injured after a BEST bus reversed into pedestrians on a crowded Station Road on Monday night. The victims include three women, while the injured were immediately admitted to nearby hospitals.
CCTV footage captured at a local textile shop shows a moment of chaos as passengers and pedestrians scramble in panic, only to be struck by the bus. Eyewitnesses described the scene as “horrific,” with the vehicle crushing several people under its wheels before coming to a halt.
According to police reports, the mishap occurred around 10 pm at the endpoint of the bus route. The driver, now in custody, was operating a wet-leased midi bus supplied by Olectra Greentech. Under this arrangement, the contractor is responsible for providing the driver, fuel, and bus maintenance. An FIR has been registered, and authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The accident has reignited concerns over the deployment of midi buses in the area. Officials noted that while mini buses had previously been withdrawn from routes connecting Bhandup station to densely populated areas near the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, operational gaps and a shortage of buses prompted BEST to reintroduce midi buses. However, challenges such as limited turning radii have posed risks for safe manoeuvring in congested streets.
In response to the tragedy, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased. Posting on X, he described the incident as “extremely unfortunate” and offered prayers for the recovery of the injured.
This accident raises pressing questions about public transport safety in Mumbai, particularly the management of wet-leased vehicles on busy suburban routes. Authorities face increasing pressure to review bus deployment policies and ensure that operational constraints do not compromise commuter safety.
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