October 16, 2025: The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking has initiated steps to redevelop its Santacruz bus depot and staff quarters, inviting applications to appoint a consultant for obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) regarding permissible building heights.
The 13,000 sq m depot and residential complex, located on SV Road, falls within the Juhu airport’s “funnel zone”—a restricted airspace where building heights are regulated to ensure safe aircraft operations. AAI, the statutory authority overseeing airport infrastructure across India, must approve any proposed construction within this zone.
According to BEST’s tender notice, the consultant will conduct a detailed topography and physical site survey to determine height clearances. “The consultant will have to conduct a physical site survey for obtaining an AAI NOC, determining the permissible height of the proposed structures… The plot has been divided into five parts for obtaining different heights according to the airport funnel zone,” it stated. The NOC application and supporting documents must be submitted to AAI within two months, and the final clearance obtained within four months of appointment.
However, the redevelopment proposal has drawn criticism from citizen activists. One activist said, “BEST is planning to give away all depots to private players, like it did with the Mahim and Kurla depots. Both were given to a builder to be developed.”
Activist Zoru Bhathena tweeted, “BEST Santacruz bus depot & staff quarters… on its way for real estate development.”
Citizen group Aamchi Mumbai Aamchi BEST argued that BMC and BEST should not monetise such assets but instead expand parking capacity to support fleet growth. A transport activist cautioned that excessive redevelopment could reduce bus parking space, even as BEST aims to expand its fleet to 8,000 buses by 2026–27.
A BEST official maintained that all procedures are being followed as per AAI norms due to the depot’s proximity to Juhu airport.
Source: The Times of India
