Seven newly inducted buses were among the 12 destroyed
Mumbai: The massive fire at BEST’s Anik depot on Monday, which destroyed 12 buses, including seven newly inducted vehicles, has triggered fresh concerns over fire preparedness at Mumbai’s public transport facilities. The incident has also raised questions about safety arrangements at BEST’s 27 depots, many of which house hundreds of buses parked in close proximity.
A BEST committee member said the blaze should serve as a wake-up call, stressing the need for a comprehensive fire emergency protocol, better equipment and regular staff training to prevent similar incidents. In the aftermath of the incident, BEST committee chairperson Trushna Vishwasrao has urged the BMC to deploy dedicated firefighting vehicles at all BEST depots across the city. She has sought round-the-clock deployment of specially equipped fire vehicles and modern firefighting systems at every depot to tackle emergencies in their initial stages. With investigations underway, authorities are examining whether negligence or any lapse by employees contributed to the fire or hampered efforts to contain it. Officials are also assessing the extent of the losses caused by the destruction of several new buses. The fire has once again highlighted the challenges of protecting critical public transport infrastructure in a city that relies heavily on its bus network. Transport experts say rapid-response firefighting systems, regular safety audits and emergency drills are becoming increasingly important as depots accommodate larger fleets, including electric and CNG buses. The demand for on-site firefighting units reflects growing concerns over passenger safety, protection of public assets and the ability of transport agencies to respond swiftly to emergencies before they escalate into major disasters, added BEST panel member Ramakant Gupta.
In a letter to Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide on Tuesday, Vishwasrao pointed out that the absence of immediate firefighting equipment at the Anik depot delayed efforts to contain the blaze, resulting in substantial damage to public property.