BEST cuts ties with contractor Mateshwari after fatal Mankhurd bus crash
A fatal Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus crash in Mankhurd, Mumbai, which killed one person and injured ten others in 2026, has triggered intense political outrage in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) House. The incident prompted Mayor Ritu Tawde to order a detailed inquiry and led to a decision by the transport undertaking to stop hiring buses from private contractor Mateshwari.
During a general body meeting of the BMC, corporators demanded immediate action against the driver and the contractor, alongside compensation for the victims. ShivSena corporator Apeksha Khandekar raised the issue, highlighting safety concerns regarding wet-leased buses. Khandekar claimed that more than 200 minor and major accidents involving wet-leased BEST buses had occurred in 2026, compared to just one accident involving a driver employed directly by BEST. She demanded that the transport undertaking take full responsibility for the maintenance and repair of all leased buses.
Leader of Opposition Kishori Pednekar also criticized the current operations, alleging that inadequate oversight was compromising the safety of Mumbai residents. Pednekar stated that the frequent accidents involving wet-leased buses were damaging the reputation of both the BMC and BEST. She called for the immediate formulation of a clear compensation policy for the families of the victims.
In response to the growing concerns, BEST Committee Chairperson Trushna Vishwasrao announced that the undertaking would no longer hire buses from the contractor, Mateshwari, citing its poor safety record. Vishwasrao shared statistics showing that 15 BEST bus accidents were reported in 2025, resulting in 14 deaths, while 10 accidents in 2026 have already resulted in 10 deaths.
Following the discussions, Mayor Ritu Tawde ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the Mankhurd crash. She directed the BMC administration to coordinate with the BEST General Manager and ordered that the final inquiry report be tabled before the BMC House.
