Kurla Bus Accident: Who Is Responsible for the Lives of 7 Innocents? BEST, Contractors, or the Driver?

The tragic loss of seven lives in a recent accident involving an electric bus in Mumbai's Kurla area has raised serious concerns about the roles of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), private contractors, and the bus driver. Allegations of negligence point to significant gaps in safety protocols and training, with focus now on determining who is truly accountable for the incident.
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The Accident

On December 9, a horrific accident occurred when a 54-year-old untrained electric bus driver, working under BEST's wet lease model, caused the vehicle to mow down pedestrians and vehicles over a stretch of nearly 300 meters. The driver, Sanjay More, had only undergone three days of induction training, instead of the required 15 days for an electric bus driver. This raises alarms over the system's oversight and whether proper safety measures were followed.

More, who began his duties on December 1, reportedly drove recklessly, even after hitting a vehicle. Rather than applying the brakes, he accelerated the bus, continuing his high-speed journey until he struck more vehicles and pedestrians. CCTV footage from inside the bus showed terrified passengers desperately trying to save themselves as the driver ignored their panic and sped on.
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Shocking Preliminary Investigation

A preliminary investigation by the Mumbai Police has revealed disturbing details about the incident. Contrary to initial claims, it was found that the bus's brakes were fully functional at the time of the accident. "The Motor Vehicles Department's initial report indicated that there was no malfunction in the bus’s brakes," said a police officer. Despite this, the driver increased speed instead of stopping the bus.

DCP Ganesh Gawde confirmed that multiple investigation teams were assigned to the case. "We are diligently investigating the entire case. Since it is a serious matter, multiple teams have been assigned to ensure no evidence is overlooked." The police are now working to uncover whether the driver intentionally used the bus as a weapon to harm people, and what his motive might have been.

Safety Standards Ignored

Reports indicate that there were lapses in ensuring safety protocols that are meant for drivers working under the wet lease model, which allows BEST to outsource operations to private contractors while retaining ownership of the buses. According to regulations, drivers are required to have a valid heavy vehicle license and at least one year of driving experience, but there have been questions about whether these requirements were consistently enforced.

Budget and Oversight Concerns

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has allocated ₹800 crore for BEST for the fiscal year 2024-2025. However, with the dissolution of the BMC, the administration of BEST has been overseen by the general manager and the BMC commissioner, with no elected representatives on the committee. This lack of local oversight has led to concerns about governance and whether proper checks and balances are in place for safety.

Contractors and Fleet Management

BEST has contracted six private companies to supply electric buses under a rental system, including companies like Olectra Greentech Ltd, EV Trans Ltd, Tata Motors Ltd, and others. These contractors supply 1,900 of the 2,893 buses in the fleet. Reports from drivers working for contractors suggest disparities in salaries and working hours, with some drivers working 14-hour shifts for lower pay compared to their counterparts employed by BEST.

Recruitment and Training Lapses

Though drivers provided by contractors are supposed to undergo a 15-day training program before being assigned routes, lapses in recruitment and training have been noted. One contractual driver explained, "There are two shifts, one is 8 hours and the second shift is 14 hours. Salaries range from ₹20,000-22,000 for the shorter shift and ₹30,000-35,000 for the longer one, including PF and other benefits." The driver also noted that while electric buses are easier to handle, any technical failure can cause the bus to stop immediately, adding to operational challenges.

Push for Electric Vehicles

The government's electric vehicle (EV) subsidy scheme has allocated 40% of its ₹10,900 crore budget to subsidize e-buses for public transport, aiming to modernize fleets. However, the tragic incident in Kurla has raised concerns about whether safety and training standards for these buses will be improved as the push for EV adoption accelerates.

Who is Responsible?

As investigations continue, the question of accountability remains pressing. Was it the responsibility of BEST, the private contractors, or the untrained driver? In this case, negligence appears to be a significant factor, but whether it stems from lax training, improper recruitment, or a failure in oversight is still under scrutiny. "We will investigate every aspect of this case and hold accountable anyone found negligent during the hiring process of the accused, More," a senior official stated.​