Taking note of the alleged negligence by BEST depot staff on a number of occasions, BEST committee chairman Sanjay Ambole has ordered an inquiry into all recent accidents. Mr Ambole was forced to pass this order in a committee meeting on Thursday when a member Ashok Patil said that in the August 30 accident, when a BEST bus killed a pedestrian, depot staff did not reach the spot for nearly one hour.
Mr Patil said that the 83-year-old passed away after being hit by the BEST bus plying between Kanjurmarg station and Pratap Nagar, Bhandup at the Maharashtra Nagar stop around 11.30 am on August 30. Further, he added that the driver of the bus Pandurang Sawant left the bus in neutral gear and fled from the scene causing more traffic. According to the standard operating procedure of BEST, either the depot or traffic manager from the nearest depot has to reach the accident spot immediately to take charge of the incident. However, in this case none of the officials reached the spot.
“Considering the gravity of the negligence by the depot officials in this case, all past accidents will also be investigated. The concerned officials who are expected to handle the accidents will be held responsible,” said Mr Ambole.
O.P. Gupta, general manager of BEST said, “We will investigate into the matter. We would also check the existing SOP to see if it has any lapses.”