After Kurla bus accident, two videos highlighting instances of drunken driving by a BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport) bus driver have gone viral on Wednesday night, reigniting concerns about passenger safety and the accountability of contract-based drivers.
The videos, shared on December 11 by Kharghar-based photographer Sameer Mohite on X (formerly Twitter) at 11:14 PM, have sparked widespread outrage.
These are the so-called contract drivers @myBESTBus got through contractors who are not scared of authorities because contractors have BEST authority in the palm of their hands.
— Sameer Mohite (@Sameermohite285) December 11, 2024
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.@rajtoday @mid_day @Dev_Fadnavis @CMOMaharashtra pic.twitter.com/20bnW4kkqb
Mohite captioned the post, “These are the so-called contract drivers @myBESTBus got through contractors who are not scared of authorities because contractors have BEST authority in the palm of their hands."
”Reacting to Mohite’s post, X user Prasad Rajguru commented, "This is alarming, BEST and the people running it down the ground have to clarify. There are so many people in Mumbai who are dependent on it."
This is alarming, BEST and the people running it down the ground have to clarify. There are so many people in Mumbai who are dependent on it.
— Prasad Rajguru (@PrasadRajguru1) December 11, 2024
Another user, @Pravasachesobati, tagged the Mumbai Traffic Police and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, saying, "@MTPHereToHelp now #mumbaikar are catching drunk BEST drivers. It's your work as per law. Do you exist? No hopes remaining from @myBESTBus. Can someone stop this leased buses staff @Dev_Fadnavis @mieknathshinde.”
@MTPHereToHelp now #mumbaikar are catching drunk BEST drivers, Its your work as per law . Do you exist?
— प्रवासाचेसोबती (@PravsacheSobati) December 11, 2024
No hopes remaining from @myBESTBus
Can someone stop this leased buses staff @Dev_Fadnavis @mieknathshinde @dir_ed @BJP4India
While the date of the first video has yet to be verified, sources report that the second video, which allegedly shows a driver from a wet-lease bus under the influence of alcohol, occurred on November 18th."
Second video belongs to a incidence happened on November 18th after the wet lease bus of BEST returned to the Mulund bus depot from police duty. During a security check, a bottle of alcohol was found on the bus. In the 24-second clip, the driver admits to being drunk but denies knowledge of the alcohol bottle found behind his seat" said sources.However BEST officials and authorities concerned are yet to issue a formal statement on the matter.
Both videos has sparked demands for stricter oversight of BEST's operations, especially concerning wet lease drivers. With lakhs of Mumbai commuters relying on BEST daily, such lapses pose a significant risk to public safety.