Mumbai: An electric AC double-decker bus caught fire and sustained damage at the Kurla depot on Sunday around 4 pm, raising concerns about the safety of the city's limited fleet of twin-deckers. Staff used 10-15 fire extinguishers to control the situation before fire brigade personnel from BKC arrived and extinguished the blaze by 6:15 pm. No injuries were reported.
Background of the Incident
The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) stated that the bus had been withdrawn from service on May 1 due to a technical fault. According to an official, the fire was caused by a 'thermal incident' while the bus was parked inside the depot for maintenance by Switch Mobility, the private contractor for e-double deckers. The exact cause will be determined after a technical inspection by Switch Mobility, the BEST technical team, and the fire brigade or safety authorities.
Immediate Actions Taken
BEST management issued directives on Sunday, including obtaining a detailed incident report from Switch Mobility, conducting joint technical inspections of the bus, reviewing safety precautions for similar buses under maintenance, and ensuring that no bus is released for operations without proper safety verification. A Switch Mobility official confirmed awareness of the thermal incident and stated that the situation was promptly brought under control, with an investigation underway.
Details from Fire Brigade Officials
According to fire brigade officials, the bus had been stationary at the depot since April 30. After the battery discharged, it was recharged to about 90% at the depot. However, the vehicle could not be started and had not been in operation for several days. The bus caught fire immediately after smoke originated from the battery, said a civic official.
Safety Concerns and Implications
Officials noted that the incident highlights the risks associated with electric bus battery systems, especially during summer. Thermal incidents in electric buses are considered serious safety events, often linked to thermal runaway, a condition where heat rapidly builds up inside the battery system, potentially leading to fire or explosion.
This incident is particularly significant because Mumbai operates only around 50 double-decker buses. Transport observers noted that even one bus going off the roads can affect daily commuters. A double-decker bus can carry 70 to 80 passengers, easing pressure on bus stops and offering greater capacity than standard buses. BEST committee member Sunil Ganacharya emphasized that the city urgently needs more double-deckers, making this loss especially concerning.
