RTO report fails to find cause of fatal BEST electric bus crash near Kotwal Garden
A mechanical inspection of a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) electric bus involved in a fatal crash on June 8 near Kotwal Garden in Mumbai has failed to determine the cause of the accident. The Mumbai Central Regional Transport Office (RTO) stated that the vehicle was too badly damaged to examine critical safety systems, leaving the official cause of the crash undetermined.
The inspection report, prepared by a Motor Vehicle Inspector, examined the Olectra EBUZZ K7D AC electric bus, registered under MH01CV6511, which was involved in FIR No. 283/2026. The June 8 accident near Kotwal Garden claimed one life and left three others injured after the BEST bus allegedly went out of control.
The inspector confirmed that the bus was fitted with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). However, neither the braking system nor the ABS could be tested because of the extensive damage caused in the accident.
According to the report, the vehicle suffered severe damage to the driver's cabin, steering linkage, dashboard, front door, ECU wiring, electrical harnesses, fuse box, ITMS, windshields, and other key components. Because the vehicle was not in a roadworthy condition, inspectors were unable to conduct a road test.
Significantly, under the section titled "Cause of Accident," the report states, "Opinion cannot be given." This means the inspection neither identifies a mechanical defect as the cause of the crash nor rules out the possibility of one.
As a result, the RTO has recommended that the manufacturer, Olectra, or an authorised dealer carry out a detailed electrical and mechanical examination to determine whether any technical malfunction played a role in the crash.
The report is part of the Detailed Accident Report (DAR) submitted for the ongoing police investigation. The findings leave open the possibility of a technical failure while investigators continue to examine whether the crash was caused by a vehicle defect, driver error, or other factors.
