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Union Minister Narayan Rane highlights the urgent financial needs of BEST and announces plans to meet the Maharashtra Chief Minister to seek substantial support for the transport service.
Former Union Minister Narayan Rane on Thursday voiced concern about the worsening financial state of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking. He noted that the organisation is now completely reliant on grants from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), according to a report by news agency PTI.
Rane, a former chairman of BEST, highlighted the massive financial support required for the undertaking, stating that nearly 8,000 new buses are needed in addition to the existing fleet. “Currently, there are around 750 buses, with another 500 on rent. Even with approximately 1,500 buses in operation, the actual requirement stands at 8,000,” he said. He also pointed out that dues amounting to ₹78 crore, owed to workers from the COVID-19 period, remain unpaid. Rane emphasized his familiarity with the rules governing BEST, given his past leadership role.
Maharashtra CM Narayan Rane stated that the undertaking requires a fleet of 8,000 BEST buses to operate effectively.
He emphasized that BEST can only continue to function if it receives financial support from the state government. Rane made these remarks during a visit to the undertaking’s general manager, SVR Srinivas.
The meeting took place at the undertaking’s Colaba headquarters and was organized under the banner of Samarth BEST Kamgar Sanghatana, a workers’ union supported by Rane. A significant number of union members were also in attendance.
“I am trying to secure an appointment with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis within the next ten days. I plan to meet him as a mediator between union leaders, the BMC, and BEST . I am hopeful that both Fadnavis and State Finance Minister Ajit Pawar will extend substantial financial support to BEST,” he added, as reported by PTI.
According to officials, BEST has increasingly relied on loans, even to disburse staff salaries.
Some critics have attributed the organization’s challenges to privatization, pointing to a steady decline in ridership caused by inconsistent service.
“Many retired employees have not yet received their dues and have had to approach the courts for justice. I’m aware that passengers often wait nearly an hour for a BEST bus. I want to change that,” Rane said.
