After blaze engulfs 12 buses, calls grow for dedicated firefighting units at all BEST depots

Mumbai: The massive fire at BEST’s Anik depot on Monday, which destroyed 12 buses, including seven newly inducted vehicles, has triggered fresh concerns over fire preparedness at Mumbai’s public transport facilities. In the aftermath of the incident, BEST committee chairperson Trushna Vishwasrao has urged the BMC to deploy dedicated firefighting vehicles at all BEST depots across the city.

In a letter to Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide on Tuesday, Vishwasrao pointed out that the absence of immediate firefighting equipment at the Anik depot delayed efforts to contain the blaze, resulting in substantial damage to public property. She has sought round-the-clock deployment of specially equipped fire vehicles and modern firefighting systems at every depot to tackle emergencies in their initial stages.

The incident has also raised questions about safety arrangements at BEST’s 27 depots, many of which house hundreds of buses parked in close proximity. A BEST committee member said the blaze should serve as a wake-up call, stressing the need for a comprehensive fire emergency protocol, better equipment and regular staff training to prevent similar incidents.