Mumbai: The BEST will serve notice to the wet lease contractor of the Kurla bus crash, imposing a Rs 4 lakh penalty, besides seeking reimbursement for hospital expenses of approximately Rs 4-5 lakh for 41 people injured in the most catastrophic fatal crash in Kurla on Dec 9.
A senior official from the BEST traffic wing indicated that the penalties would be imposed as per the contract (for infraction), while the hospital bills are customarily reimbursed by the private contractor in all mishaps. Additionally, the BEST committee established to disburse compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the bereaved families and intends to present a proposal before BEST management to recover these funds from the private contractor.
The fatal crash claimed eight lives, while 41 others were injured. The committee established to address compensation and grievances of family members of deceased and injured, and on Tue met one of the injured persons, Akhtar Khan (52), who was discharged from Bhabha hospital three days ago. Committee member Dr Anil Kumar Singal stated that Khan, an autorickshaw driver, sustained a spinal injury but was out of danger. BEST processed all financial assistance for his treatment and, as per policy, will also provide compensation for damage to his autorickshaw.
Khan was overjoyed to meet his family. Compelled into driving an auto during the pandemic after losing his position as a car driver, Khan worked extensive hours to support his family of six. His daughter and three siblings were observed praying outside the Bhabha ward for their father’s swift recovery. “My father worked tirelessly, often staying overnight in Kurla to earn Rs 9,000 to Rs 10,000 a month,” Shazia Khan, his eldest daughter and a Class 12 student, disclosed to this newspaper last week.
