Thane: The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT), Thane, has directed the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to pay Rs 14.8 lakh compensation with 9% annual interest to a tempo driver who suffered permanent functional disability after an ST bus rammed into his vehicle in 2015.The award was passed on Aug 10, 2026, by MACT Member R.V. Mohite. The claimant had originally sought Rs 42.6 lakh. The tribunal ultimately awarded Rs 14,85,200 along with interest from the date of the petition.According to the petition, the accident occurred on Dec 26, 2015, on the Wada-Bhiwandi Road near Angaon Toll Naka. The claimant was travelling in his tempo to unload goods and had stopped the vehicle by the side of the road to adjust the goods when an ST bus, allegedly being driven at high speed and negligently, hit the tempo from behind.The impact left the claimant seriously injured, while his co-traveller died on the spot. The injured man was taken to Late Kashinath Patil Hospital in Bhiwandi. Police subsequently registered a case against the ST bus driver and filed a charge sheet.MSRTC disputed the claim, arguing that the tempo was standing in the middle of the road and that the claimant was equally responsible for the accident. However, the tribunal rejected the defence, noting that statements recorded by police indicated that the tempo was standing by the side of the road. The corporation also failed to examine any passenger from the bus to substantiate its claim of contributory negligence.The tribunal therefore held that the accident occurred due to the sole negligence of the ST bus driver.The claimant was assessed as having 40% functional disability. Though a disability certificate had assessed permanent physical disability at 68%, the tribunal found insufficient evidence to establish that his earning capacity had been reduced by the same percentage.The compensation includes Rs 7.7 lakh for future loss of earnings, Rs 3 lakh towards future prospects, Rs 3 lakh for medical treatment, Rs 1 lakh for pain and suffering and Rs 10,000 for special diet. The tribunal also ordered Rs 4 lakh of the compensation to be kept in a fixed deposit for two years.
