BEST has pledged to pay Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and cover the medical expenses of those injured in the accident. | FPJ/ Salman Ansari
Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking on Tuesday announced the formation of a probe committee to investigate the Kurla bus accident that claimed multiple lives and left 42 people injured on Monday night.
The committee, chaired by Chief Manager (Transport) Ramesh Madavi, will examine the circumstances leading to the incident. BEST has pledged to pay Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and cover the medical expenses of those injured in the accident.
The injured are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals, including Bhabha Hospital, Sion Hospital, and Seven Hills Hospital. Police reported that the condition of some injured persons remains critical, though the four injured police personnel on bandobast duty are in stable condition.
The accident triggered public outrage, with locals catching the bus driver, identified as More, and thrashing him before handing him over to the police. In a case of mistaken identity, the bus conductor was also assaulted by bystanders, according to an eyewitness.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed his deep condolences to the families of the victims of the Kurla bus accident. He wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the accident. In a gesture of support, Fadnavis announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased from the Chief Minister’s Aid Fund. Additionally, he assured that the treatment expenses for the injured would be covered by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation and the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking.
In the past three years, BEST buses have been involved in 247 accidents, resulting in 62 fatalities. The majority of these accidents involved buses operated by private contractors, sparking outrage among commuters.
Breakdown of Fatal Accidents total -62
Private contractor-operated wet lease buses- 40
BEST-owned buses- 22
BEST bus routes diverted
* Buses on routes 37, 320, 319, 325, 330, 365 and 446 will now operate from Kurla depot
* Buses on routes 311, 313, and 318 will take a detour from Tilak Nagar and head towards Santacruz station, skipping Kurla station
* Buses on route 310 will take a detour from Tilak Nagar bridge and head towards Vandre bus station
