BEST wet-lease bus rams 14 vehicles in Andheri after suspected brake failure

On July 10, a BEST wet-lease bus suffered a suspected brake failure and rammed into 14 vehicles in Andheri, prompting severe criticism from both ruling and opposition BEST committee members who accuse the administration of ignoring safety warnings. The bus, operating on Route 242, went out of control while taking a right turn, leading to police questioning of the driver and conductor.

The DN Nagar police took the driver, Sahil Suryakant Sawant, 30, and conductor, Kiran Appa Chawan, 35, to the police station for questioning. Both are employees of the wet-lease operator. According to sources, the driver had maintained a speed of 20-30 kmph in an effort to keep the vehicle under control before the crash. Committee members and unions alleged that the driver had flagged technical issues with the bus before it left the depot, but it was still allowed to operate.

This incident was the fifth accident involving a BEST bus between June 1 and July 11, intensifying safety concerns over the undertaking's wet-lease fleet. Under the wet-lease model, private contractors supply the buses, hire drivers, and handle maintenance.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and BEST committee member Nitin Nandgaonkar revealed he had written letters warning the administration about technical defects on April 2 and July 10. He claimed that engineers had identified defects in the braking and steering systems of several buses, yet they continued to run. Nandgaonkar alleged that 50% to 60% of wet-lease buses have technical defects but are sent out to complete their mandated 180 km of daily operations.

Another committee member, Ajay Singh, also alleged maintenance lapses, noting air pressure leakage problems at the Kurla depot that reduce braking efficiency. Singh has demanded administrative and criminal action against negligent officials and contractors, alongside an immediate safety audit of all wet-lease buses.