A tragic accident involving a Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport bus left the city of Mumbai in shock and grief as it took seven lives and injured 42 others at Kurla West on Monday night. This incident, one of the most devastating in recent times, highlighted an important need to look into the mode of transport and its causes. Here’s a detailed account of the disaster that unfolded there.

Details of Mumbai Kurla BEST Bus Accident

The accident took place late in the evening of December 9, 2024, on one of Kurla’s busiest roads-SG Barve Marg. A BEST bus, plying towards Andheri, suddenly lost control and hit pedestrians and parked vehicles along a stretch of about 100 meters. It ran into 30 to 40 vehicles before crashing into the RCC column of the Solomon Building, a residential complex in the Buddha Colony locality. This caused a lot of structural damage and also brought down the compound wall of the building.

Eyewitness Accounts and Immediate Response

The scene was described by eyewitnesses as chaotic and devastating. “It was like a scene from a disaster movie,” said one resident. The speeding bus plowed through vehicles and pedestrians, leaving a trail of destruction. Locals and passersby were among the first to respond, pulling injured individuals from the wreckage and calling for emergency services.

Within no time, emergency responders, police and medical teams, had responded to the scene. Rescue efforts were conducted effectively, and injured persons were rushed to the nearest hospitals, including Bhabha Hospital. However, it was unfortunate that on reaching the hospital, three persons were pronounced dead, while later the death toll increased to seven after others succumbed to their injuries.

Accident Information in Mumbai Kurla

A BEST bus used in the accident was 12-meter-long electric one that Olectra Greentech had manufactured. Wet-leased by the transport body, it was plying route A322 from Kurla station to Sakinaka.

The reports stated that the bus driver, Sanjay More, lost control. However, as per BEST’s official statement released a few hours after the accident, the bus started speeding on its own and caused the major mishap. The reason behind this is still under investigation.

Impact on Infrastructure and Commuters regarding Mumbai Kurla Bus Accident:

SG Barve Marg, the location of the accident, is one of the main arterial roads that connects Kurla station to other major locations such as Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). The Mumbai Police closed the road to all traffic after the accident. This forced BEST to divert at least 10 bus routes to alternative locations, thereby inconveniencing regular commuters immensely.

Barve Marg is crowded with buses, cars, and pedestrians. It’s already crowded during peak hours, and scores of passengers depend on this route to go to commercial hubs like BKC. The closure has upset routine and added pressure on the alternative routes.

Driver detained, and investigations are underway in Mumbai Kurla Bus Accident

Sanjay More, the bus driver, is being detained by the Mumbai Police to be questioned. The authorities are looking into the technicality of the vehicle and scrutinizing the CCTV footage in the surrounding cameras to get an idea of what happened next.

Experts are also investigating whether a mechanical failure, such as a malfunctioning accelerator or brake system, could have contributed to the accident. Since the vehicle was an electric bus, questions are being raised about its maintenance and operational reliability.

Victims and Rescue Efforts

Pedestrians, bystanders, and vehicle occupants were the casualties. The injured were rushed to different hospitals for treatment. According to local authorities, the injured include those with serious and minor injuries. Rescue teams worked all night to clear the site and ensure that no one was trapped in the wreckage.

BEST’s Response and Future Measures

In its official statement, BEST expressed deep sorrow over the accident and assured cooperation with the ongoing investigation. “As per the initial information, the driver lost control of the bus,” BEST said.
BEST has also emphasized its commitment to passenger and public safety. Officials have hinted at the possibility of reviewing operational protocols, including driver training and vehicle maintenance schedules, to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Public Reactions and Concerns regarding

The accident has raised widespread concern about road safety and public transport reliability in Mumbai. Activists and citizens have pointed out the need for stricter checks on public transport systems, including regular maintenance and better training for drivers.

While electric buses have their own advantages of being environmentally friendly, the very use of electric buses has been questioned in some quarters. There is a growing debate over whether the technical problems arising from such buses are properly dealt with.

Demand for Accountability

The tragic accident has created an outcry demanding accountability from transport authorities and policy makers. Experts are calling upon the transport authorities to audit all the public transport vehicles, especially those operating on wet lease.

This calls for better planning at urban levels so that such highly trafficked spots as SG Barve Marg have adequate protection measures. And, to name just one improvement-the road infrastructure-be it highway, or traffic police stringent, accidents now need an overall improvement process.

Conclusion on Mumbai Kurla Bus Accident

The Kurla BEST bus accident comes as a somber reminder of the vulnerability of urban transportation systems and the disastrous outcomes of a lapse in their safety protocol. Investigations would continue in Mumbai, fighting the tears of lost souls and the hope that this mishap may bring about constructive change.

For now, the focus has been on helping the victims, comforting the grieving families, and making sure those behind the massacre are brought to justice. The city mourns, but it also waits for answers and solutions that can prevent such a thing from ever happening again.