Following Friday's accident, transport experts suggest that the undertaking should use the device that prevents speeding beyond a limit
A day after a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus driver over-sped at Bandra’s Kalanagar junction, claiming the life of one and injuring 29 others, transport experts believe that a speed-control gauge should be installed in BEST buses as well as BMC dumpers so that such accidents can be avoided.
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Transport Expert Jitendra Gupta told SMD, “Friday’s accident has once again proved that it is not just drivers of private buses and motorists who speed. If we want to avoid such accidents in the future then a speed-control gauge, which prevents speeding beyond a particular limit, should be installed in BEST buses.”
Gupta also added that the BEST management should conduct surprise checks regularly in order to ensure that drivers are not over-speeding. “The traffic police, along with the help of BEST officials, should use a speed gun to keep tab on over-speeding bus drivers. Those found driving at a speed above the prescribed limit should be sent home.”
Soon after Friday’s accident there were talks that a speed breaker should come up at the Kalanagar junction so that drivers and motorists can control the speed of their vehicles. But traffic department officials feel that it is not possible as the speed breaker will decrease the flow of traffic and lead to a jam.
Senior Police Inspector Sujata Patil (Traffic) from Matunga police station, said, “As it is a very busy junction we cannot construct a speed breaker in the area. If we do so, there are chances that the traffic movement will become slow, resulting in a jam.”
It has also been observed that motorists coming from Sion-Dharavi and Bandra Kurla Complex and going towards the Western Express Highway and Bandra railway station speed up their vehicles while passing the Kalanagar junction so that they don’t have to wait at the signal.
Friday’s accident also seems to be a similar case. “At around 4.15 pm, the bus coming from Kurla (west) to Bandra (east) tilted while in motion below the flyover. The driver seemed to have over-sped and in the process the bus tilted. We are investigating the matter,” said OP Gupta, general manager, BEST.u00a0