Kurla BEST bus Accident on LBS Road. | FPJ/ Vijay Gohil
The tragic bus accident near Kurla railway station on Monday, which claimed seven lives and left 42 injured, is a grim reminder of the high cost of neglecting safety. Such accidents are not inevitable; they are preventable with proper training, infrastructure, and prioritisation of safety. Reports reveal that the driver of the ill-fated bus lacked adequate experience with electric, automatic-transmission buses.
In fact, this was reportedly his first attempt at driving such a vehicle. While experienced drivers can adapt to automatic systems, transitioning requires time to adjust reflexes and habits, such as using only the right leg for both the accelerator and brake, while idling the left leg. A moment’s confusion, as may have occurred here, can have catastrophic consequences, even when the braking system is functional.
This raises serious concerns about the training protocols for drivers and the oversight of authorities responsible for public safety. How could an inexperienced driver be entrusted with an electric bus without sufficient training? This lapse underscores a systemic failure that demands immediate correction.
Adding to the tragedy, less than two days later, a 54-year-old man was run over by a bus after being knocked down by a motorist who fled the scene. While the BEST driver cannot be blamed, this incident highlights broader issues like the lack of road dividers, incomplete road-widening projects, and congestion caused by encroachments on land along the roads.
Encroachments must be cleared, roads widened, and protective barriers installed at bus stops to safeguard commuters. These are not luxuries but necessities. Ultimately, most accidents can be prevented if safety is prioritised over expediency. The Kurla tragedy should serve as a wake-up call for authorities to address the systemic issues that make such incidents all too common. Safety must never be an afterthought—it should be the cornerstone of public infrastructure.
