Another tragic accident involving a BEST bus has shaken Mumbai. Days after seven people lost their lives and dozens were injured in a horrific Kurla bus crash, a motorcyclist was killed in Govandi when struck by an electric BEST bus. This incident, occurring late Saturday night at the Shivaji Nager junction, underscores growing public concern about the safety of Mumbai’s public transport system.
The victim, identified as Dikshit Vinod Rajput, sustained fatal head injuries after his two-wheeler collided with the rear tire of the bus. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Rajawadi Hospital. The bus driver, Vinod Aabaji Rankhambe (39), has been arrested under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) Act, and investigations are underway to ascertain the exact cause of the accident. This arrest follows the earlier apprehension of Sanjay More (54), the driver of the bus involved in the Kurla tragedy.
The Kurla accident, which involved an electric BEST bus colliding with numerous vehicles, resulting in seven fatalities and over forty injuries, has ignited a public debate about the maintenance and safety protocols of the BEST fleet. The incident led to speculation over potential mechanical failure. Shiv Sena MLA Dilip Lande attributed the Kurla incident to brake failure, stating the driver panicked, accelerating instead of braking, leading to the devastating collision with numerous pedestrians and vehicles. The Kurla incident saw the bus careen out of control for over 100 meters, damaging vehicles and infrastructure before finally coming to a rest. The scale of destruction and the number of casualties highlight the severity of the situation.
Both accidents raise serious questions. Are regular safety checks being conducted? Are drivers receiving sufficient training? Are the vehicles themselves roadworthy? These are critical questions that need to be addressed promptly and transparently by the BEST undertaking and the relevant authorities. The frequency of these accidents points to a larger systemic issue that requires immediate attention. The public demands answers and concrete measures to prevent future tragedies. The city’s residents deserve a safe and reliable public transportation system.
The recent accidents have sparked widespread outrage and fear among Mumbai’s citizens, with many expressing concerns about the safety of BEST buses. The demand for stricter regulations and improved safety measures is increasing. These incidents highlight the need for comprehensive investigations, thorough driver training, regular vehicle maintenance, and perhaps even a review of safety protocols to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The focus should not just be on arresting the drivers but identifying and addressing the underlying systemic problems within BEST that may be contributing to these accidents. A detailed report on the findings of the investigation will be vital to rebuild public confidence and ensure such incidents are not repeated.
The tragic loss of life serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety. Increased vigilance from drivers, better infrastructure, and improved enforcement of traffic regulations are all necessary to improve road safety in Mumbai. The ongoing investigations will undoubtedly shed more light on the specific circumstances leading to these devastating accidents and inform future safety improvements.
