Four people lost their lives and at least nine others suffered injuries after a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus reversed into a queue of passengers outside Bhandup railway station in Mumbai late on Monday night. The tragic incident, which occurred around 10:05 pm, has once again raised serious concerns about road safety, pedestrian space, and congestion around major transport hubs in the city.
Accident Outside Busy Railway Station
The accident took place just outside Bhandup railway station, one of the busiest suburban transit points in Mumbai’s eastern suburbs. According to police officials, the BEST electric bus was attempting to take a U-turn to move towards the nearby bus depot when the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle.
Preliminary findings suggest that the 52-year-old driver accidentally pressed the accelerator instead of the brake while reversing. As a result, the bus rammed into a group of passengers who were standing in a queue near the station exit. The impact threw several people to the ground, causing panic and chaos in the crowded area.
Police confirmed that four people three women and one man died on the spot. Nine others sustained injuries, some of them serious, and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Driver Detained, Probe Underway
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 7) Hemraj Rajput said that the bus driver was immediately taken into custody. The injured were shifted to Fortis Hospital and other medical facilities for urgent care. Authorities have launched a detailed investigation to determine whether negligence, mechanical failure, or poor road conditions contributed to the crash.
Police are also examining CCTV footage from the area and will conduct a technical inspection of the bus to check for any defects.
Bus Details and Route Information
BEST officials confirmed that the vehicle involved was a nine-metre air-conditioned electric bus manufactured by Olectra. The bus was operating under a wet lease arrangement and was deployed on Route 606, which runs between Nagardas Nagar and Bhandup station.
The spokesperson added that internal checks are being conducted and that BEST will cooperate fully with the police investigation.
Eyewitnesses Blame Congestion and Hawkers
Several eyewitnesses pointed to overcrowding and illegal encroachments as major contributing factors. Many residents and shopkeepers said the narrow lane outside Bhandup station remains heavily congested during peak evening hours.
A local pharmacist, Saimini Mudaliyar, told news agency PTI that buses terminating at Bhandup station often struggle to take U-turns due to hawkers occupying footpaths and spillover crowds on the road.
A police officer from Bhandup police station echoed similar concerns. He said hawkers take up much of the footpath space, forcing pedestrians to walk on the road. This leaves little margin for error when large vehicles manoeuvre in tight spaces.
Locals Rush to Help Victims
Local shopkeepers were among the first to respond after the accident. Bhagwandas, who owns a sweet shop near the station, said they immediately called ambulances and informed the police.
“We pulled the injured inside the shop, gave them water, and tried to calm them,” he said. Some locals also helped contact family members of the victims while emergency services arrived.
Their quick response helped prevent further injuries amid the confusion.
Government Announces Compensation
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep grief over the incident and described it as “extremely unfortunate.” He announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives.
The Chief Minister also wished the injured a speedy recovery and assured that the government would review safety measures around busy transport hubs.
Second BEST Accident in Two Years
Monday’s tragedy marks the second major accident involving BEST buses in December in consecutive years. On December 9 last year, a BEST bus rammed into pedestrians in Kurla, killing nine people and injuring at least 37 others.
That incident had triggered widespread outrage and demands for stricter safety protocols, driver training, and better crowd management. The recurrence of such accidents has renewed calls for urgent reforms in urban transport planning.
Bigger Questions on Urban Safety
The Bhandup accident has once again exposed systemic issues such as inadequate pedestrian infrastructure, unchecked encroachments, and poor traffic design around railway stations. Experts say that without clear demarcation of pedestrian zones and stricter enforcement against illegal hawking, such accidents may continue.
As Mumbai grapples with growing population pressure and limited road space, the tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for coordinated action between civic authorities, transport agencies, and law enforcement to ensure public safety.
Investigations into the accident are ongoing, and officials have promised accountability. For now, the city mourns yet another avoidable loss of life on its crowded streets.
