Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has said Mumbai requires nearly 10,000 buses for daily public transport operations, while the BEST Undertaking currently operates only around 3,000 buses across the city.
Speaking at The Hindu’s Maharashtra Infrastructure Conclave held in Mumbai on May 22, Bhide stressed that expanding the BEST fleet was essential for strengthening the city’s public transport system and improving connectivity on key infrastructure corridors, including the coastal road between Marine Drive and Versova.
“The first and foremost aim for BEST’s revival is to increase the fleet size. The coastal road has already accommodated the necessary infrastructure which is required for buses. Of course, BEST will have to ply more buses on the coastal road. BEST is overall struggling on certain issues, but I am sure a very comprehensive plan is being made for overall revival of the bus transport because today their fleet size is limited. Probably, Mumbai needs 10,000 buses for everyday commute, but BEST today has close to 3,000 buses,” Bhide said.
She added that the city also requires a larger number of smaller buses to improve urban mobility.
Bhide also addressed concerns related to the Mumbai Metro Aqua Line connecting Aarey JVLR and Cuffe Parade, where commuters have faced the absence of mobile connectivity for several months. According to her, the delay was linked to telecom-related logistical and regulatory challenges.
“This telecom services from our side now, everything is given and I am sure in the next two to three months… because the telecom companies are also supposed to provide services to their customers,” she said.
Bhide explained that changes in telecom regulations and negotiations with service providers delayed the rollout of mobile services on the metro corridor.
Commenting on protests against the coastal road extension project, Bhide said infrastructure projects often face opposition initially but later benefit commuters once completed.
“Which project is not opposed,” she remarked.
The BMC Commissioner also responded to criticism regarding the Mumbai Monorail, stating that the system’s primary issue was the limited number of trains currently operating on the corridor.
Source: The Hindu
