A major fire erupted at the Ghansoli bus depot in Navi Mumbai, destroying five buses — including both electric and diesel-powered vehicles — and raising fresh concerns over electric vehicle (EV) safety in public transport fleets.
The blaze reportedly began during routine maintenance, with preliminary investigations pointing to a short circuit in one of the electric buses as the possible cause. Firefighting teams responded swiftly and managed to contain the flames before they could engulf the entire depot. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported.
The incident has led to considerable financial loss for the Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) department. While the exact value of the damages is yet to be assessed, sources indicate that the losses run into crores.
This fire has once again spotlighted the urgent need for robust fire safety protocols in EVs. Just weeks ago, a separate controversy emerged in Mumbai when it was revealed that 50 newly inducted electric buses under the BEST fleet lacked basic Fire Detection and Suppression Systems (FDSS), a critical safety component for battery-operated vehicles.
Authorities have initiated a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire and assess whether adequate safety measures were in place. The findings are expected to influence upcoming safety guidelines for electric buses across Maharashtra.
As electric mobility continues to expand in public transportation, the incident serves as a stark reminder that safety infrastructure must evolve just as rapidly.
