Mumbai: BEST’s CNG bus bursts into flames in Andheri; undertaking withdraws 400 buses

Following a fire on a bus at Andheri East station on Wednesday evening, the BEST undertaking decided to take 400 Tata CNG buses off the roads till the operator and manufacturer come up with necessary corrective measures to ensure complete public safety. Though it will lead to public inconvenience with fewer services and changes in some bus schedules, BEST officials said it was necessary to do so for safety.

A non-AC single decker bus on route 415 operated by Mateshwari Ltd reached its destination at Andheri station and the entire crowd got off. Around 6.55pm, the bus caught fire and was completely gutted. There were no injuries, but there have been cases before too of these buses catching fire.

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"In view of recent incidents of fire in Tata CNG buses operated by Mateshwari Ltd, the BEST undertaking has decided to take all 400 buses off the road till the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and operator take necessary corrective measures to ensure that such incidents do not happen in future. Though it may cause inconvenience to commuters, the undertaking cannot compromise on public safety.

There may be some changes in the schedules due to this and commuters are requested to keep this in mind while planning their journey for the next few days," a BEST spokesperson said.

6.55 pm
Time the bus caught fire