Mumbai News: BEST Accused Of Using Leased Electric Cars For Staff Without Fitness, Insurance

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking, which operates public bus services and supplies electricity in Mumbai, has allegedly been using leased electric cars for its employees without valid fitness certificates and insurance, a workers’ union has alleged. However, sources said that the responsibility for renewing the documents lies with the private company that supplied the vehicles.

142 EVs Leased Before March 2023 Allegedly Uncertified

All 142 electric cars leased by BEST before March 2023 are reportedly being used without fitness certification or valid insurance. These electric vehicles, hired from a Nagpur-based firm, are primarily used to transport BEST staff and officers from both the transport and electricity departments.

Sources claim that the fitness certificates and insurance for several of these vehicles expired as early as eight months ago. Despite repeated concerns raised internally, no corrective action appears to have been taken.

Union Leader Shashank Rao Slams Administration

Speaking with a news agency, Shashank Rao, leader of a BEST employees’ union, condemned the situation, accusing the administration of endangering the lives of its workers. “BEST is playing with the lives of employees,” Rao said.

A BEST employee, speaking on condition of anonymity, shared his concerns: “Hundreds of us use these EVs for official duties, like attending to faults in power lines. We are afraid to travel in them now. If there's an accident, we may not even be eligible for compensation."

According to the leasing contract, the vehicles have been hired for a 15-year period. BEST pays Rs 42,400 per month per vehicle for the first 10 years, and Rs 28,407 per month per vehicle for the remaining five years. The vehicles were registered between November 2022 and June 2023.

Violation of Motor Vehicles Act and CMVR Rules Noted

Under Rule 62 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, all commercial vehicles, including electric ones, must have a valid fitness certificate. Section 146 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, mandates third-party insurance coverage for all vehicles on the road.

Driving without a fitness certificate can attract fines of Rs 2,000–Rs 5,000 for a first offense and up to Rs 10,000 for repeat offenses. Similarly, operating an uninsured vehicle carries a penalty of Rs 2,000 for a first offense and Rs 4,000 for subsequent violations.