Mumbai BEST Bus Accident: CCTV Shows Pedestrians Crushed After Bus Reverses in Bhandup

A devastating road accident in Mumbai’s Bhandup area late Monday night has once again raised serious questions about public transport safety in crowded urban zones. Chilling CCTV footage of the incident shows moments of panic as pedestrians scramble to escape a reversing bus, only to be crushed under its wheels within seconds.

The accident occurred around 10 pm on Station Road in Bhandup (West), a busy stretch frequented by commuters, local residents, and vendors. According to officials, a bus operated by Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) suddenly reversed at the endpoint of its route, knocking down pedestrians who were standing along the roadside.

Visuals captured by a nearby CCTV camera show people chatting and waiting near the road when the bus unexpectedly begins to move backwards. As the vehicle accelerates in reverse, chaos erupts. Several people are seen running in different directions, but some are unable to get away in time and are crushed under the bus.

Four people, including three women, lost their lives in the accident, while nine others sustained injuries. The injured were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where they are currently undergoing treatment. Their condition is being closely monitored by medical teams.

The bus driver was detained soon after the incident, and a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine whether negligence, mechanical failure, or procedural lapses contributed to the tragedy.

Government response and compensation

Reacting to the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the accident as “extremely unfortunate” and announced financial assistance for the victims’ families. The state government will provide an ex-gratia payment of ₹5 lakh to the legal heirs of each deceased person. The Chief Minister also expressed condolences and wished for the speedy recovery of those injured.

Questions over wet-leased buses and route safety

The bus involved in the accident was a wet-leased midi bus hired from Olectra Greentech. Under the wet lease model used by BEST, the contractor is responsible for providing the driver, fuel, and vehicle maintenance, while BEST manages route operations.

The incident has reignited concerns over the deployment of midi buses on narrow and congested roads in the Bhandup area. Earlier this year, mini buses operating on routes connecting Bhandup station to densely populated settlements near the Sanjay Gandhi National Park were withdrawn due to safety and manoeuvrability issues. However, officials said that a shortage of buses later led to the reintroduction of midi buses on these routes, despite known operational constraints such as inadequate turning radius at endpoints.

Urban transport experts have repeatedly warned that reversing large vehicles in crowded areas poses a serious risk to pedestrians, particularly during late evening hours when visibility is low.

As the investigation continues, the CCTV footage has intensified public outrage, with many questioning accountability, route planning, and safety protocols in Mumbai’s public transport system. The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for stricter safety checks, better driver training, and infrastructure planning in one of India’s most densely populated cities.