Smoke Forces MSRTC Electric Bus Evacuation in Thane

A tense moment unfolded in Maharashtra’s Thane city on Tuesday morning when smoke was detected emanating from a rear wheel of an MSRTC electric Shivshahi bus, prompting the swift evacuation of all 13 passengers on board. The incident, reported at 9:50 AM, occurred on a busy road connecting Cadbury signal to Khopat depot, as the bus was en route from Borivali in Mumbai to Nashik district. Quick action by authorities ensured the safety of all passengers, with no injuries reported.

According to Yasin Tadvi, chief of Thane Municipal Corporation’s disaster management cell, the affected bus was carrying 10 passengers bound for Nashik and three headed to Thane. Upon detecting the smoke, MSRTC officials promptly evacuated the passengers and arranged for their transfer to another bus to continue their journey. The rapid response minimized disruption and ensured passenger safety, showcasing the efficiency of the city’s disaster management protocols.

Firefighters and disaster management personnel were dispatched to the scene, where they used hose reels to spray water on the smoking wheel, effectively containing the situation. The bus was later towed away for inspection and repairs, with officials confirming that the incident did not disrupt traffic on the busy route.

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This incident has raised concerns about the maintenance and safety of electric buses operated by MSRTC, prompting questions about the reliability of the fleet. Authorities have yet to release an official statement on the cause of the smoke, but an investigation is underway to determine whether mechanical failure or another issue was responsible. For now, the swift response by Thane’s disaster management team and MSRTC officials has been praised for averting a potentially dangerous situation.

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