The Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking is preparing to explore expansion of its electricity distribution network into Mumbai’s eastern and western suburbs, potentially taking the civic utility beyond its traditional island-city territory.
The move comes as Adani Electricity Mumbai Limited (AEML) has approached the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) seeking approval to distribute power in Dharavi as part of the area’s redevelopment. The proposal has prompted BEST committee members to urge the administration to oppose AEML’s bid.
BEST will now undertake a technical assessment covering the manpower, infrastructure and investment required for a suburban expansion. The administration said the study is expected to be completed within a month.
“Various aspects such as our own capabilities to expand the network, manpower required, investment needed and other details for the purpose of expanding our presence in the suburbs (eastern and western) will be studied. Within a month, a report will be prepared,” said a senior BEST official.
At present, BEST supplies electricity to approximately 10.80 lakh consumers, including around 4-5 lakh commercial users, across areas extending from Cuffe Parade and Colaba to Sion and Mahim. It has also been supplying electricity to Dharavi for several years.
The undertaking has said it will oppose AEML’s proposal, which covers roughly 90,000 electricity consumers and a population of nearly 10 lakh.
“We want the administration to oppose the proposal to supply power to Dharavi,” said Trushna Vishwasrao, chairperson of the BEST Committee.
BEST added that Mumbai’s ongoing redevelopment could create substantial opportunities to increase its customer base. Its consumer count grew by only about 5,500 during 2025-26, while officials are considering an eventual expansion of around 8-10%, subject to the technical study.
“There is widespread redevelopment across Mumbai. The scope of adding more consumers is immense and so we are going to study this proposal,” another BEST official said.
A suburban expansion would place BEST in greater competition with private distributors, including AEML, which serves around 29 lakh consumers, and Tata Power, with approximately 7.5 lakh consumers across the island city and suburbs.
“There is a need to strengthen the systems and transform so as to compete with private power distribution companies,” said BJP leader R C Gupta, a BEST Committee member.
MERC will hear AEML’s Dharavi proposal before taking a decision.
Source: Hindustan Times
Pic Credit: Times of India
