BEST bus crash in Dadar: RTO probes cause as driver cites tech fault

Mumbai: Shivaji Park police are awaiting a technical inspection by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to determine the cause of the fatal BEST electric bus accident near Plaza Cinema in Dadar on Monday, after the driver claimed that a technical malfunction made the vehicle lose control. BEST bus driver Vikas Padave’s blood samples have tested negative for alcohol.The RTO is expected to inspect the bus to ascertain whether the accident resulted from driver error or a mechanical or electrical fault. Investigators will also seek input from BEST’s technical experts during the examination.A BEST electric air-conditioned bus rammed into multiple vehicles in heavy traffic opposite Plaza Cinema in Dadar on Monday morning, killing a 22-year-old delivery executive and injuring six others. The Shivaji Park police have registered a case against the bus driver, Padave.According to police sources, Padave, who is undergoing treatment at Sion Hospital, stated during preliminary questioning that the bus unexpectedly accelerated after he released the handbrake. “He told investigators that as soon as he released the handbrake, the bus automatically accelerated, went out of control and crashed into multiple vehicles,” an official said.The findings of the RTO inspection and the internal BEST inquiry are expected to play a key role in determining whether the crash was caused by human error or a technical failure.BEST committee chairperson Trushna Vishwasrao, along with senior BEST officials, on Tuesday evening met the mother of the crash victim, Rishav Gupta, who is in critical condition, at Sion Hospital and handed over a cheque of Rs 2 lakh collected from EV Trans Pvt Ltd, the wet-lease bus contractor. The BEST is bearing the medical costs of those injured in the mishap.Vishwasrao earlier held a meeting with wet-lease contractors in which she directed them to comply with minimum wage norms for the contractual drivers. Sources said that drivers are paid lower salaries than full-time BEST drivers and are made to work extra hours on certain days. BEST on Tuesday issued fresh directives to wet-lease operators to ensure strict inspection of electric and CNG buses, including the steering wheel, brakes, accelerator, etc, by maintenance teams before buses leave the depots.Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora on Tuesday wrote to the BEST committee chairperson, demanding safety audit mechanisms for wet-lease operators, contractor accountability and contractual safeguards in cases of negligence or safety lapses, and review of driver recruitment, training, certification and working hour regulation.