28 December,2021 08:01 AM IST | Mumbai | Hemal Ashar
Zebra crossing and small rumblers outside Sunita building, Santoor restaurant & Jolly Maker 3 junction; (right) Markers for pedestrian crossings
The death of a senior citizen from Cuffe Parade in an accident with a BEST bus brought together the community with a demand to install speed breakers. The incident took place when Sanwarmal Jalan, 76, had gone out for a routine morning walk on December 23. As Jalan did not return till 9.15 am, his family started to look for him in the two parks he used to frequent. But Jalan had been knocked down by a BEST bus while crossing a junction at Cuffe Parade.
"When there seemed to be an unusual delay in his return, we went to the police station. That was when we learnt an elderly citizen had been involved in an accident. We rushed to GT Hospital, after which we transferred him to Bombay Hospital. It was too late though. There was extensive bleeding in the brain and he passed away on Saturday," said his youngest son Ritesh.
"There was a substantial time lapse, till he was seen by a neurosurgeon at the Bombay Hospital, that time gap made the difference between life and death," stated Ritesh.
The Cuffe Parade community is shocked and angered by the death.
Ritesh said, "There must be a high level of training and safety sensitisation before a bus driver is given independent charge behind the wheel. The training sessions must be consistent, almost like attending a satsang where one keeps going back for more knowledge, there must be periodic engagement with the driver."
Ritesh added, "Buses are a convenient machine transporting lakhs of people, but with their size, they can become killing machines too. Safety is paramount."
Jalan was an instantly recognisable name in the transport industry in the country. He was the former president of the Bombay Goods Transport Association (BGTA) and chairman of the Wadala Truck Terminal project committee.
"He was also a very vital part of the community here," said Cuffe Parade resident and family friend Kaushal Bagadia. "He was one of the people who organised the huge Cuffe Parade Holika Dahan festival. There is also not a single transporter in the country, not just the city, who will not know him."
Bagadia is calling on buses to cut speed. "Electric buses are now very silent too, unlike earlier when the noise would alert one that a bus is approaching. We need to have speed breakers installed at the spot," said the former vice-president of Cuffe Parade Residents Association.
Corporator Harshita Narwekar said, "I am seeking a meeting with the BEST General Manager. We did paint zebra crossings and there are rumbler strips at the spot now. That is a huge crossing, and many citizens cross diagonally at the junction. The buses have to be very slow here. There is a need for speed breakers and that requires special permission, which will be procured."
Narwekar added, "I understand the rallying cry for speed breakers but unfortunately, this is a not-in-my-neighbourhood mentality. When there were speed breakers installed, some raised an objection as heavy vehicles for Metro work in the area had to halt at speed breakers and that would create a lot of noise. Then, there were demands that the breakers be removed. Now, there are demands for installation."
Going by the community chat groups there are demands for arresting the bus driver. One chat even read, "The bus driver's photo should be pasted at the Cuffe Parade traffic light junction for all other bus drivers to show that here is a driver who has been jailed for rash driving."
Haresh Hathiramani, a Cuffe Parade resident, said, "Brighter lights may need to be installed by the BEST, especially useful very early mornings."
Terming BEST drivers as "fast and rash", CPRA secretary Anand Sheth said, "There is a strong case for not allowing BEST buses into the residential part of the area, and they should be made to continue from the main road and into the depot."
A grieving Ritesh concluded, "We must learn lessons and never lose a precious life again in this way. People, too, need not fear getting involved when there is an accident. Innate human nature wants to help but there is a wariness to get involved in police matters, or any trouble. Instead, we must give a message: do not fear and help the victim, for time saved can make the difference between life and death."
"The BEST bus that struck down a pedestrian is not owned by BEST, but is one of the many leased from private operators running on select routes. These buses are monitored from our advanced control room at Wadala depot and we initiate action even without any complaint. However, the responsibility during such operations solely remains with the contractor and as per standard practice, a police complaint has been registered against the driver and further investigations are on. Action will also be initiated by BEST as per the terms and conditions of the contract," a BEST spokesperson said.
Dec 23
Day when the accident took place
