BEST sets up inquiry panel after wet-lease bus hits tempo worker in Andheri, who dies

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking has set up an inquiry committee after Wednesday's accident at PMGP Colony in Andheri. A bus operating on wet lease allegedly hit a tempo worker, who died during treatment.

According to the undertaking, the accident took place at around 10.15 am. BEST bus number 8050, travelling on route 441 from Majas depot towards Andheri, rammed into the door of a poultry-carrying tempo parked on the left side of the road.

It has been stated that the tempo's worker had opened the vehicle's door as the bus was passing alongside. The impact threw him against the tempo and he then fell on the road. He was taken to hospital, where he died during treatment.

The bus belonged to Mateshwari Urban Transport Solutions Pvt. Ltd., a wet-lease operator for BEST. It was attached to Majas depot. A case has been registered at MIDC police station in Andheri East. A case has been filed against the bus driver and further investigation is under way. BEST has also formed a committee to extend immediate help to the family of the deceased.

In a statement issued on Thursday, BEST said several steps had been taken to prevent accidents involving its own buses and those of wet-lease contractors.

A one-day refresher training programme for wet-lease bus drivers has been running since September 28 through Hino Motors. According to the undertaking, 753 drivers have undergone it so far.

In addition, a three-day depot-wise training programme for both BEST and wet-lease drivers has begun at the transport training centre in Dindoshi. So far 5,314 drivers have been trained under it.

Around 500 BEST drivers have also received driving simulator training through the Western India Automobile Association (WIAA). The association's director, Nitin Dhoza, has indicated that such training will be extended to wet-lease drivers in future.

The BEST administration has directed transport officers and supervisory staff deployed on bus routes to take immediate action against drivers found misbehaving with passengers, driving carelessly or breaking traffic rules. The undertaking said it is committed to providing a safe, reliable and passenger-friendly bus service.