India, July 22 -- Amid concerns over repeated accidents involving Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses leading to multiple deaths, the BEST committee on Tuesday discussed various aspects of bus maintenance and the need to penalise wet-lease bus operators over prolonged vehicle repairs.

According to an internal document circulated among BEST committee members during the meeting, in April this year, it was found that 868 buses out of the BEST's then 2,553-strong fleet were plying on road despite technical shortcomings and issues, mostly pertaining to the brake and steering systems. While 774 of these buses were subsequently rectified, at least 94 buses were still undergoing repairs when the report was prepared.

The BEST...