In a significant development regarding the fatal Mumbai bus accident that occurred in the eastern suburb of Bhandup, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) has submitted a crucial report ruling out mechanical failure as the cause of the tragedy. The incident, which claimed the lives of two individuals, had initially sparked debates regarding the maintenance quality of public transport vehicles.
According to updates monitored by Lokmaha News, the detailed inspection conducted by Wadala RTO officers confirms that the BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport) bus involved in the crash was in fully functional condition at the time of the accident.
RTO Findings Contradict Driver’s Claims
Immediately following the crash, the bus driver, identified as Kamlesh Prajapati, alleged that the vehicle’s braking system had failed, causing him to lose control. However, the technical investigation paints a different picture. RTO officials conducted rigorous tests, including a brake test on the tarmac, to verify these claims.
The report explicitly states that the brakes, steering mechanism, and other vital technical components were functioning correctly. “There was no technical fault in the bus,” the report concluded, effectively dismissing the driver’s defense. This finding shifts the focus of the police investigation almost entirely toward human error and reckless driving.
Tragedy at Bhandup Check Naka
For international readers unaware of the context, the accident took place near the Bhandup Check Naka, a busy entry point into India’s financial capital. The speeding bus, Route No. 545, reportedly swerved out of control, colliding with a dumper truck before running over pedestrians.
The Mumbai bus accident resulted in the tragic deaths of a father and son, exposing the vulnerability of pedestrians in the city’s chaotic traffic. The victims were waiting for transport when the vehicle struck them. The severity of the impact and the subsequent findings by the RTO have led to intensified scrutiny on driver training protocols within the municipal transport division.
Legal Implications and Next Steps
With the mechanical clearance report in hand, the Navghar police are proceeding with legal action against the driver. Prajapati has been arrested and booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for rash and negligent driving causing death.
Lokmaha News learned that the police will now use the RTO’s technical report as primary evidence to establish that the crash was a result of the driver’s inability to control the vehicle, rather than a system failure. This case highlights the critical importance of defensive driving, especially for operators of heavy public transport vehicles in densely populated urban environments.
As the investigation concludes, this incident serves as a grim reminder of road safety challenges in Mumbai. While the BEST undertaking is often praised for its efficiency, accidents attributed to human error continue to raise alarms regarding passenger and pedestrian safety.
