Mumbai: 

The vehicles destroyed included both electric and diesel models. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the incident has dealt a considerable financial blow to the local transport department. Firefighters responded swiftly, managing to contain the flames and preventing the fire from spreading to other parts of the depot. Their quick action averted what could have been a far worse disaster.

A fire erupted early on Wednesday morning at the Ghansoli bus depot in Navi Mumbai, destroying five buses, raising concerns about fire safety standards for electric vehicles in public transport fleets. The blaze, which broke out around daybreak, is believed to have been caused by a short circuit during repair work on one of the electric buses parked at the depot.

50 newly delivered electric buses in Mumbai lacks mandatory fire safety systems

The incident has intensified worries over the safety of electric buses, particularly following recent developments in Mumbai’s transport sector. Just days earlier, it emerged that 50 newly delivered electric buses for the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) service were found to be lacking essential fire safety systems.

These 12-metre-long buses, supplied by Evey Trans Private Limited, a subsidiary of Olectra, are part of a larger order of 2,100 electric vehicles intended to modernise Mumbai’s public transport network. The fleet was registered at the Tardeo Regional Transport Office (RTO) with MH-01 EW series plates between March 18 and May 16. However, several buses delivered after this period remain unregistered.

Buses taken out of service; parked at Shivaji Nagar depot

Without these systems, the affected buses have been taken out of service and held at the Shivaji Nagar depot, awaiting the necessary retrofitting.

Routine inspections revealed that none of the 50 buses were fitted with Fire Detection and Suppression Systems (FDSS), which are mandatory under Indian vehicle safety regulations. These systems are vital for detecting and extinguishing onboard fires quickly, especially in engine compartments. According to AIS-135 standards, FDSS units are designed to suppress fires within a minute of detection, while alerting passengers and crew with visual and audio alarms.

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