The BEST Committee has granted in-principle approval to a Rs 28,000-crore redevelopment proposal, titled ‘Kayapalat’ (transformation), aimed at reviving the financially stressed transport undertaking. The plan focuses on redeveloping 22 bus depots through a public-private partnership (PPP) model and using the revenue generated to expand BEST’s self-owned bus fleet, thereby reducing its dependence on wet-leased buses operated by private companies.
The redevelopment strategy includes commercial and mixed-use developments, public parking facilities, employee housing, digital command centres, electric bus charging infrastructure and upgraded workshops. Revenue generated through upfront premiums and commercial development will be used to procure 5,000 buses, clear dues of retired employees and reduce the undertaking’s debt.
“The recent strike by BEST and wet-lease employees in June, along with recurring accidents involving wet-lease buses, is an eye-opener that we can no longer solely depend on wet-lease buses to sustain BEST’s transport network. This proposal is a major step towards overcoming the undertaking’s financial crisis,” BEST Committee Chairperson Trushna Vishwasrao said.
The proposal was approved following a presentation by BEST General Manager Sonia Sethi. It will now be forwarded to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and later to the Maharashtra Cabinet for administrative and legal approvals.
According to BEST, the undertaking currently has an accumulated deficit of Rs 7,322 crore and liabilities of Rs 14,323 crore. It has estimated an additional Rs 13,561 crore for purchasing 5,000 buses and implementing wage commitments made during the June strike, taking the total funding requirement to around Rs 28,000 crore.
As part of the redevelopment, BEST also plans to seek Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) benefits for four depots located along Metro Line 3, besides obtaining approvals for mixed land use and lease extensions.
Separately, the committee approved the induction of 1,500 electric air-conditioned midi buses under the Centre’s PM E-Drive scheme. The buses will be procured on a 12-year wet-lease model, with 1,050 supplied by GreenCell Mobility and 450 by Sai Green Pvt Ltd. The new fleet, expected to be introduced during 2026 and 2027, will support the launch of 125 additional routes, expanding the network to 525 routes.
The committee also approved a monthly salary increase of Rs 3,000 for permanent employees and Rs 2,000 for wet-lease employees, in line with assurances made by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during negotiations that ended the June strike.
Additionally, BEST announced a Rs 99 annual bus pass for retired employees. The pass will be launched on August 7, BEST Foundation Day, with the amount adjusted against pending gratuity dues.
Source: The Indian Express
