Mumbai: The RTO announced on Thursday that its team has revoked the licence of Kurla bus driver Sanjay More for three months. More ploughed a BEST bus into several pedestrians and vehicles on a crowded Kurla street on Dec 9, killing nine and injuring 40 others. Joint transport commissioner Ravi Gaikwad said it was an unwarranted incident, and he is also contemplating banning More from driving for life. A final decision in this connection will be taken in a few days. “We, though, have revoked his licence for three months,” he said.
The senior officer further said he directed RTO officials to conduct surprise checks on BEST drivers with breathalysers and catch those found drunk on duty or carrying liquor (which is not permissible as per rules). The RTO squads plan to take breath tests of drivers when the bus is halted at a stop to pick up passengers. This is apart from BEST’s plan to check drivers in the near future with breathalysers at depots while the bus is leaving and arriving at the premises. RTO also plans to crack down on bus drivers for reckless driving based on citizen complaints.
Following the crash, the then BEST general manager Anil Diggikar announced that breathalyser tests would become mandatory for drivers. — Somit Sen