Horrific Kurla Accident: RTO Suspects Human Error and Insufficient Training

The Regional Transport Office (RTO) has attributed the tragic accident involving a BEST electric bus in Mumbai's Kurla to "human error" and "lack of proper training." The incident, which occurred on Monday night, claimed seven lives and injured 42 others.

The accident took place on S G Barve Marg around 9:30 PM when an electric bus, operated by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking, lost control and plowed into pedestrians and vehicles before crashing into a compound wall. The driver, 54-year-old Sanjay More, was arrested soon after the incident.

Initial Findings Suggest Brakes Were Functional

An investigation by the Wadala RTO found that the brakes of the Olectra-manufactured electric bus were functioning properly. A team led by Motor Vehicle Inspector Bharat Jadhav inspected the bus at BEST's Kurla depot early Tuesday. RTO officials reported that all systems, including the brakes and headlights, were in working order during the inspection.

Deputy RTO Pallavi Kothawade and other senior officers also visited the site due to the gravity of the incident. The bus was relocated from the accident site to the depot by 1:15 AM with assistance from Mumbai Police.

Human Error Likely Behind the Crash

RTO sources indicated that the driver might have been inexperienced in operating the 12-meter-long automatic transmission electric bus. Unlike conventional buses, these vehicles lack a clutch and manual gears, requiring a different skill set. Officials suspect that improper training may have contributed to the driver's inability to handle the vehicle effectively.

A senior RTO official explained, "Driving an automatic transmission bus requires precise judgment of acceleration and braking, which appears to have been lacking in this case. The driver may have panicked after hitting the first vehicle, potentially accelerating instead of braking, which led to the devastating sequence of events."

Contradictory Training Claims

The BEST administration and the driver's family provided conflicting accounts regarding the training he received. BEST General Manager Anil Diggikar stated that More underwent three days of induction training, while the driver's son claimed it lasted 9 to 10 days.

Records show that More, who had been driving mini-buses since November 2020, was assigned the electric bus on December 1, just two days after joining duty on November 29. He previously operated manual transmission mini-buses and had no prior experience with larger electric buses.

Further Investigations Underway

The RTO inspection team also analyzed footage from the bus’s three onboard CCTV cameras, revealing that the accident unfolded within 52 to 55 seconds. The bus reportedly traveled 400 to 450 meters from the point of initial impact to the housing society wall where it came to a halt.

RTO officials are awaiting a detailed report from Olectra engineers to further substantiate their findings. The investigation is ongoing, and additional inquiries into the driver’s licensing details and training records are being pursued.

Expert Opinions Highlight Knowledge Gap

A retired RTO official noted significant differences between automatic transmission electric buses and conventional manual buses, emphasizing the need for comprehensive training. "Automatic buses operate on distinct mechanisms, and drivers need time to adapt. This accident likely resulted from a lack of understanding of these systems," the official stated.

The tragic incident has highlighted the importance of rigorous training for drivers operating advanced vehicles and the need for stricter compliance with safety protocols to prevent such occurrences in the future.