Full Breakdown
BEST Electric Bus Catches Fire in Chembur, Mumbai
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
On a Sunday morning in Chembur, a wet-lease Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) electric bus caught fire while operating from the Deonar depot. The vehicle, travelling from Mahul Gaon toward Trombay on route A-364/A-365, developed smoke from beneath the driver’s cabin around 8 a.m. The driver identified a spark in the battery box, which triggered a short circuit and ignited the fire. No passengers or staff were injured.
Response and Containment
According to officials, the driver deployed all three onboard fire extinguishers and succeeded in extinguishing the flames by approximately 8:15 a.m., roughly 15 minutes after the fire began. The Mumbai Fire Brigade arrived shortly thereafter, disconnected the battery, and removed it as a precaution. Local police, BEST undertaking personnel, and municipal ward staff also responded to the scene. BEST mechanics and staff from the private contractor operating the wet-lease bus were dispatched, and the damaged bus was later towed to the Deonar depot for detailed inspection and repairs.
Investigation and Maintenance Concerns
BEST officials indicated that a technical examination of the battery and electrical systems will be conducted to determine the precise cause of the short circuit and to assess whether any maintenance-related issue contributed to the incident. The fire occurs amid growing scrutiny of the safety and upkeep of wet-lease buses that operate under BEST’s public-transport umbrella.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the identity of the private operator: one report attributes the wet-lease arrangement to SMTATPL, while another cites Shree Maruti Travels (Daga Group). Additionally, the route number is reported as A-364 in one account and A-365 in the other. No further details on the battery type or prior inspection history were provided.
Implications for Electric Bus Safety
The incident underscores the need for rigorous safety protocols for electric buses, particularly those managed by third-party operators. Authorities’ planned examination of the battery system may inform future maintenance standards and regulatory oversight for Mumbai’s expanding electric-bus fleet.