Yash Rupaye, son of 58-year-old Ramdas Rupaye, recounted the moment he realised his father was hurt in a bus accident near Bhandup station. “Like every day, I called my father to check if he had left the office. He didn’t answer my first call, so I thought he might be stuck in the train crowd. After waiting for 30-45 minutes, I called again — still no answer. This had never happened before. Neighbours then told us about an accident at Bhandup and insisted we try calling him. Eventually, we learned from a neighbour’s son at the site that my father had suffered a head injury,” Yash said.

Ramdas Rupaye sustained head and facial injuries in the accident. “Perhaps if the footpaths weren’t encroached, the station road were less busy, or the driver more skilled, I would have reached home safely. We are a middle-class family, and while I am not the sole earning member, my income is essential for our basic needs,” he said. Ramdas received three stitches on the left side of his head and has a dislocation on his face and tongue. “Although a CT scan came back normal, he still experiences severe dizziness and cannot walk without support. Doctors say his condition is otherwise stable,” added Yash.