3 days ago
BEST Orders Two-Foot Bus Gaps After Anik Depot Fire
A fire damaged 12 buses at BEST’s Anik depot in Mumbai.
Afterward, BEST told depots to leave at least two feet between parked buses.
Buses operated by private contractors must also face the exit so they can be moved quickly.
Officials said the buses had been parked close together, which may have helped the flames spread.
The fire began on October 4 and was controlled about an hour and a half later.
Investigators have not yet determined what caused it.
Officials are considering whether something outside the buses started the fire.
BEST is also reviewing safety arrangements at its depots.
A BEST committee chairperson has asked the city government for round-the-clock firefighting vehicles at all depots.
BEST now requires buses at its depots to be parked at least two feet apart.
Wet-lease operators were told to park buses facing the exit for quicker evacuation.
A fire on October 4 destroyed 12 CNG buses at the Anik depot; seven were new additions to the fleet.
The blaze began around 5:45 p.m. and was brought under control by about 7:15 p.m.
The cause remains under investigation, while BEST reviews depot safety and firefighting arrangements.
- Who
- The BEST Undertaking issued the new parking instructions; 12 CNG buses were destroyed.
- What
- BEST mandated a minimum two-foot gap between parked buses and directed wet-lease buses to face depot exits.
- Where
- The fire took place at BEST’s Anik depot in Mumbai.
- When
- The fire occurred on October 4, 2026; the directives were reported on October 7.
- Why
- BEST is reviewing depot safety after the fire; spacing and exit-facing parking are intended to help limit fire spread and move buses quickly in an emergency.
Safety concerns
BEST response
Depot firefighting facilities
Safety concerns
BEST Committee chairperson Trushna Vishwasrao said depots lack fire-extinguishing facilities and requested round-the-clock firefighting vehicles.
BEST response
BEST said it is reviewing depot and bus-station conditions and examining whether additional fire-safety measures are needed.
Cause of the fire
Safety concerns
Officials are examining possible external causes, including a person smoking or a discarded cigarette butt; combustible materials were also found nearby.
BEST response
The exact cause has not been established, and the article reports no confirmed conclusion.
Key facts
- Buses destroyed
- 12 CNG buses
- Minimum parking gap
- Two feet
- Fire date
- October 4, 2026
- Fire duration
- About 5:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
- New buses among those destroyed
- Seven
- BEST fleet
- 2,856 buses, including 249 owned by BEST
- Cause
- Not yet established; under investigation
Quotes
Trushna Vishwasrao
BEST Committee chairperson who wrote to the BMC commissioner seeking stronger depot fire-safety arrangements.
“There are no fire extinguishing facilities available at the bus depots. Therefore, a vehicle equipped with a fire extinguishing system should be provided round the clock in all the depots of the BEST.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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