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Mumbai News: 50% Rise Since Last Year in BEST Bus Accidents

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Mumbai: In a distressing development, the number of accidents involving BEST buses has seen a significant rise this year. According to data, 2023 has, so far, witnessed a total of 15 fatal accidents, including five in June alone. This figure marks a nearly 50 per cent increase compared to last year when 10 fatal mishaps involving the BEST buses were reported. 

The number of accidents started to increase from 2019 when 15 people died and 87 were injured. The situation continued to deteriorate in the subsequent years, with 2020 witnessing 12 deaths and 51 injured cases. Similarly, in 2021, there were 12 deaths again and a total of 80 reported accidents, which left 63 passengers injured, with 35 classified as serious.

Slight decline in fatal accidents in 2022

Although 2022 showed a slight decline in fatal accidents, with only 10 mishaps being reported. Last year, a total of 130 accidents occurred, leaving over 40 people injured. This year, so far, 59 accidents have been documented, leaving 50 injured. Ten of them sustained grave wounds while forty had minor injuries.

According to a retired BEST official, the number of fatal accidents came down from 2015-2016. Back then, 31 people died in different road accidents involving BEST buses. Likewise in 2016- 2017, 22 fatalities were reported.

A workers’ union leader have identified several factors contributing to the rise in accidents. The foremost cause is the lack of pedestrian space and the ‘encroachment’ of roads due to ongoing construction projects. Reduced road widths have left minimal room for maneuvering, especially for pedestrians and two-wheeler riders.

He explained his argument, giving an example of the June 10 accident reported from Amrit Nagar, Vikhroli. Probe revealed that the deceased, a biker, had come under the bus tyre after being hit by a car door. The motorcyclist tried to speed past a stationary car when its driver suddenly opened the door, causing the biker to fall onto the road and collide with the right-side tyre. Police investigation concluded that the BEST driver was not at fault.

Experts said that rash driving and over speeding, particularly by wet lease bus drivers, also contribute to accidents. However, data indicates that a higher number of accident cases involve BEST-owned buses compared to its wet lease counterparts.

Another worrisome factor is the sudden increase in brake failure cases. When queried about the issue, officials said that in most cases, drivers lose control due to other reasons, but blame brake failure.

Pointers:

Data from past years

2019 

15 deaths; 87 injured

2020 

12 deaths; 51 injured 

2021

12 deaths; 63 injured 

Maharashtra

Mumbai: ‘All New Local Trains To Feature Automatic Door Closers,’ Says Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

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Mumbai: All newly manufactured local trains will be equipped with automatic door closing systems to enhance passenger safety, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Saturday in Mumbai.

The Minister was speaking to the media on the occasion of a breakthrough in a 4.8 km tunnel for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project.

Highlighting the importance of Mumbai’s suburban rail network, which is often referred to as the city’s lifeline, Vaishnaw said, “In view of passenger safety, we are working to install automatic door closers on all local trains.” He added that efforts are underway to retrofit existing local trains with the automatic door closing system.

“In the future, all newly built non-AC local trains will come with provisions for automatic door closers,” he confirmed. He also noted that all AC local trains already feature this system.

The Minister further stated that the tendering process to procure 238 new AC local trains for Mumbai has already been initiated. “Soon, the face of Mumbai’s suburban rail network will be completely transformed,” he said.

“The move is expected to significantly improve passenger safety and convenience, particularly during peak hours when overcrowding can lead to accidents related to open train doors” said an official.

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Maharashtra

Government money is not anyone’s father’s, Abu Asim Azmi is angry at Muslims being told that salt is forbidden, BJP leaders’ hatred, Bihar and the secular public need to consider

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Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi has strongly condemned BJP leader and MP and Union Minister Giriraj Singh for calling Muslims as salt haram and traitors and has appealed to the secular people and Muslims to teach the BJP a lesson in the Bihar elections. He said that the way hatred against Muslims has become common in the BJP government, communalism is on the rise and the situation is so bad that BJP leaders are sowing the seeds of hatred against Muslims and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is silent on it and does not even open his lips.
Giriraj Singh, who called Muslims traitors, should understand that government money does not belong to anyone’s father. I want to tell the Muslims of Bihar and Andhra Pradesh that Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu are supporting a government whose ministers have such hateful views about Muslims. Azmi said that the BJP government looks for an opportunity to humiliate Muslims and its hateful leaders constantly spread venom against Muslims. Nitish Rane in Maharashtra and Mumbai also spreads venom against Muslims. In such a situation, it is necessary to restrain the language of these ministers. It is because of such ministers and leaders that communalism is on the rise. Along with calling Muslims as forbidden salt, Giriraj Singh said that Muslims take advantage of government schemes and do not even vote. They are forbidden salt and traitors. On this, Azmi said that the government collects money by collecting taxes on everything, therefore government money does not belong to anyone’s father. The minister should keep this in mind.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Indian Coast Guard Conducts Beach Cleanship Drive At Girgaon Chowpatty And Juhu On International Coastal Cleanup Day 2025

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Mumbai, 20 Sep 25: On the occasion of International Coastal Cleanup Day, observed worldwide on the third Saturday of September, the Indian Coast Guard, Regional Headquarters (West) spearheaded a Beach cleanship Drive at Girgaon Chowpatty and Juhu beach, Mumbai.

Being a central coordinator for the marine pollution response, the Indian Coast Guard with a motto We Protect, has been coordinating the Coastal clean-up activity since 2006 wherein approx. 75,000 kgs of waste is cleared from the Indian shores annually.

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from numerous organisations including NCC, NSS, NGOs, Schools, Colleges, other government agencies alongside media personnel and people from various walks of the life, who voluntarily contributed to the noble cause of cleaner seas.

During the four hour drive, approximately 3000 Kgs garbage/litter was collected and subsequently disposed off with the assistance of the BMC.As part of the awareness campaign, a painting competition was also organized by the Indian Coast Guard for children in the age group of 6 to 8 years, with over 50 students showcasing their creativity on the theme of environmental conservation.

The outstanding paintings were appreciated and felicitated in the presence of Dr Bhushan Gagrani, IAS, Municipal Commissioner BMC, who graced the noble cause as a special guest of the Indian Coast Guard and Inspector General Bhisham Sharma, PTM, TM, Commander, Coast Guard Region (West).

In total, around 1000 participants actively took part in the Beach cleanship, reiterating the collective commitment towards Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar.

The annual activity of the Indian Coast Guard taking along the civil populace has once again reaffirmed the resolve to safeguard the oceans, protect marine life and bequeath a cleaner, healthier environment to the generations yet to come.

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