BEST bus rams autos, cars in Andheri West, chain crash leaves 3 injured

On Monday afternoon, a chain reaction collision involving an electric BEST bus left at least three people injured in Andheri West. The incident unfolded around 12 pm near the Gokhale Bridge signal. The electric AC bus, operating on route 221 between Andheri bus station and Versova, accelerated after the driver released the handbrake. This sudden acceleration led to the bus colliding with four autorickshaws, an Ertiga car, and an Activa, resulting in multiple injuries.

Three individuals sustained injuries: Enus Shaikh, a 55-year-old autorickshaw driver, who suffered a nose injury; Manojkumar Bajdev, a 30-year-old pedestrian who sustained a blunt injury to his neck; and Anis Nisar Dhari, a 20-year-old riding a two-wheeler who sustained an injury to the right side of his waist. The injured were swiftly taken to Cooper Hospital for treatment.

Subsequent to the crash, the bus conductor notified the Andheri Police, who promptly dispatched their personnel to the scene. Additionally, an accident officer, accident inspector, and PMI bus inspector arrived at the site. The BEST bus, originating from the Oshiwara depot and operated under a wet-lease arrangement by PMI, was subsequently parked at Kumkum Chowky for further legal procedures, as directed by the Andheri Police.

An investigation into the incident is currently underway. This latest accident echoes previous incidents involving BEST buses. Last week, a fatal crash in Mankhurd claimed the life of a 65-year-old farmer and left 10 others injured. In June, another crash involving an electric BEST bus resulted in the death of a 28-year-old Swiggy delivery executive and injuries to several others.

This incident brings the total number of reported accidents involving BEST buses over the past three months to 21, with many of these accidents involving wet-lease buses, which constitute a significant portion of the Undertaking's 2,802-bus fleet.

Following the Mankhurd crash, the BEST administration introduced a three-day special safety training program for 5,200 contract drivers. This program covered essential topics such as safe driving practices, lane discipline, speed restrictions, and included 30-minute daily on-the-wheel refresher training to reinforce safe-driving habits among contract drivers.