The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking is preparing to hand over its Dharavi and Kalakilla bus depots for the Dharavi redevelopment project, while arrangements are being made to ensure uninterrupted bus operations through temporary facilities in central Mumbai.
According to senior officials, the BEST administration has sought approval from its committee to transfer the two depot premises to private developer Navbharat Megha Developers Pvt Ltd as part of the large-scale redevelopment initiative. Committee members, however, have decided to first examine the proposal in detail before granting final approval.
Spread across nearly 12 acres, the Dharavi and Kalakilla depots are considered important transport assets in central Mumbai. Officials said the developer presented a detailed redevelopment plan to BEST earlier this year. To maintain smooth bus operations during the construction phase, the contractor has proposed setting up two makeshift depots with the capacity to accommodate around 470 buses along with all required operational facilities.
BEST committee member Nitin Nandgaonkar said, “We will study the proposal. If we feel that this is not a feasible project as two depots will be impacted and it is the prime BEST plot, we will strongly oppose.”
Under the proposed plan, one redeveloped depot will come up on 8,601 square metres with parking space for 200 to 275 buses. After construction of the main depot structure, upper floors will house BEST offices and civic amenities, while certain levels may be leased for commercial purposes.
The second depot, planned on 10,544 square metres, will also provide parking for 200 to 275 buses at the ground level along with staff facilities and office spaces on the upper floors.
The Dharavi depot, built in 1980, is among BEST’s older operational facilities, while the adjoining Kalakilla depot was inaugurated in 2016. The premises currently include transport division offices, a power supply division office, staff quarters and facilities for drivers and conductors.
Officials said several residential quarters within the depot complex are in poor condition, making redevelopment necessary. The developer has reportedly assured BEST of upgraded infrastructure, modern office spaces, improved amenities and better staff housing as part of the project.
Source: The Times of India
