Mumbai: The frequency of bus breakdowns in Mumbai has escalated dramatically, with 75% more incidents reported in the first half of this year compared to all of last year. The mounting congestion and disruptions caused by these breakdowns have led the traffic police to urge the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) administration to station maintenance teams and cranes at strategic locations for rapid response.
The traffic police revealed that there have been 211 bus breakdowns so far this year, a significant increase from the 120 incidents reported throughout last year. The Vakola area has been particularly affected, recording 56 breakdowns this year alone. When buses break down, traffic police are typically the first responders, organising the removal of the vehicles to prevent traffic jams. However, they face challenges in securing cranes with the capacity to tow the buses, particularly electric ones, which require specialised technicians for repairs. “Electric buses are a particular issue as they cannot be attended to until a technician arrives at the location,” explained a police officer. BEST currently operates a fleet of 3,133 buses, which includes 616 electric buses, 1,992 CNG buses, and 525 diesel buses. A BEST official suggested that maintenance teams and cranes should be on standby at various locations across the city to address breakdowns promptly. “Teams need to be stationed either at the two BEST zones (south-central and eastern-western suburbs) or at the five police regions (North, East, South, West, and Central),” he stated.
A senior BEST official from a workshop highlighted that the organisation has adequate infrastructure to manage bus breakdowns, with seven breakdown vans and two towing vehicles available. Additionally, a dedicated maintenance team in the bus control section addresses any bus breakdowns. “Now, there are more wet lease (contractual) buses which face breakdowns, and we have also asked private operators to arrange for additional maintenance staff and vehicles. We will also assist them with our teams and vehicles if required in emergency cases,” he added.
An official from BEST’s traffic division mentioned that there was a meeting between the traffic police and BEST last year to discuss parking and the arrangement of cranes/towing vehicles and maintenance teams for breakdowns. “We complied with their request last year, and if there is any other request from the traffic department this time, we will certainly look into it on priority,” the official assured. The surge in bus breakdowns has not only disrupted traffic flow but also highlighted the urgent need for better maintenance protocols and infrastructure to handle such incidents efficiently. As the city grapples with these challenges, the collaboration between BEST and the traffic police will be crucial in mitigating the impact on Mumbai’s roads.
