In a shocking and tragic incident on Monday evening, a BEST air-conditioned electric bus in Kurla, Mumbai, was involved in a horrifying accident that left five dead and 36 injured. The incident, which took place near the bustling Kurla West market around 9.30 p.m., has raised serious concerns regarding both public safety and infrastructure resilience in India’s most populous city.
The bus, operating on Route No. A-332, was reportedly driven by 45-year-old Sanjay More, who eyewitnesses claim appeared to be intoxicated at the time of the accident. The vehicle, reportedly moving at a dangerously high speed, rammed into at least 25 vehicles, including motorcycles, cars, and even a police jeep, before finally coming to a halt after a 500-metre distance. The toll of human casualties was devastating, with five lives lost, including those of two teenagers, and numerous others critically injured. The impact of the crash was not limited to the tragic loss of life. The infrastructure around the area, including roads, vehicles, and public facilities, suffered extensive damage. The bus, travelling from the Kurla Bus Depot towards Sakinaka, demolished multiple vehicles along the narrow and heavily congested S.G. Barve Marg.
The collision destroyed a variety of transport infrastructure, including motorcycles, auto-rickshaws, and private cars, leaving local businesses and commuters in shock. Eyewitness accounts, coupled with CCTV footage, reveal scenes of panic as pedestrians scrambled to escape the oncoming vehicle. The damage was further exacerbated by the wet conditions of the road, which may have contributed to the apparent brake failure. Local authorities, along with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), rushed to the scene, while injured victims were quickly transferred to nearby hospitals, including Bhabha Hospital. In response to the incident, authorities have launched a thorough investigation, and the driver, Sanjay More, has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, amongst other offences. This devastating incident has highlighted critical vulnerabilities in urban infrastructure and the urgent need for stricter safety measures and vehicle checks.
It also serves as a stark reminder of the risks posed by negligent driving and the potential for widespread destruction when safety standards are compromised. The loss of lives and extensive damage to public and private property raises serious questions about the effectiveness of urban planning and emergency preparedness in India’s megacities. Given the scale of the devastation, there are growing calls for better regulation of public transport systems, especially those operating in high-density areas like Kurla.
